Support Arika's Family in Their Time of Loss

Hi Friends!

On behalf of the entire Eden's family, it is with heavy hearts and deep sorrow that we share the passing of our beloved Arika. She was a wife, mom, daughter, sister, friend, and most of all, a faithful follower of Christ. Arika's love for others, her kind spirit, and her unwavering faith have left a lasting impact on all who knew her. In this time of grief, we find comfort in the promise that she is now in the arms of our Heavenly Father, free from pain and full of peace.

As we navigate this difficult time, we are reaching out for support to help cover the costs of her funeral and final arrangements. Brian and Arika were in the process of relocating out of state, and we, as the church, want to help in any way that we can.

Any donations—no matter how small—will go directly to helping us give Arika the dignified and loving service she deserves. We are also asking for your prayers for strength and peace during this time. Thank you for your generosity, kindness, and support.

Sincerely,

The Edens Family

"Arika Kelly Westgate, age 49 of Hendersonville, Tennessee, passed away on Saturday, November 2nd, 2024. It is with the deepest of sorrow that we announce the passing of our loved one, Arika. I believe Willie Nelson said it best when he said, “It’s not something you get over, it’s something you get through.” Our family will get through this great loss only because of our Lord Jesus Christ. Arika, age 49, passed away at Vanderbilt University Medical Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee, due to complications during open-heart surgery.

She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Lester and Mary Cook of Addison, NY, and grandparents Doris and Francis Kelly of Susquehanna, PA; uncle Dyke Cook of Addison; aunt Mary Cook of Addison; aunt Lillian Denney of League City, Texas; aunt Ruth Slocum of Starrucca, PA; and uncle Robert Butts of Susquehanna, PA.

She is survived by her husband, Brian Edens; her adult children, Nickolas Joseph Westgate, Luke Anthony Westgate, and Ava Rose Westgate; and stepson Chase Edens. Her parents, father Eugene Cook of Addison and companion Mandy Mahnke; mother Mary Pat Kelly Upright and husband Brent Upright of Painted Post. Siblings, John Costello IV, Christopher Cook, and Tyler Cook; ex-husband Tim Westgate; and stepfather Jack Costello III. Aunt Zilla Cook of Addison; uncle Jim (Deb) Kelly of Thompson, PA; niece Dakota Cook; several cousins; and numerous friends!

Arika was born in Corning, NY. She graduated from Rockland High School, Massachusetts, and attended Baystate College, Boston. She had a very successful career in real estate and most recently was Leasing Manager with Mission Rock Multi-Family Residential Management Company in Hendersonville, Tennessee.

The most identifying part of Arika’s life was her profound and very personal relationship with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Through the Holy Ghost, Arika was gifted with inward spiritual strength. Her 49 years were a gift of God, having been healed as a child from malignant cancer of her spine when given six weeks to live. Her life was a miracle, and she lived it to the fullest. She loved nature, mountains, campfires, gardening, her dogs Buster and Reece, music, dancing, laughing, and preaching the Word of God. But most of all, Arika loved being a mother and conversing with her own mother daily. She was easy to love, will always be loved, and will surely be missed.

Family and friends are invited to call on Saturday, November 16th, 2024, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Flint Funeral Home, 10 Wall Street, Addison, New York. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm, and burial will follow in the family plot in St. Catherine's Cemetery."