Patricia Ann (Cook) Whitney, 87, of Laurie, Mo., passed away Monday, Oct. 16, 2017, at the Laurie Care Center. She was born July 4, 1930, in Detroit, a daughter of the late Robert Blake and Donna Mae (Pierce) Cook.
On Aug. 29, 1954, in Allegan, she was united in marriage to George Whitney, who preceded her in death on March 31, 2012.
Pat earned her degree as a registered nurse from St. Augustine Nursing School in Chicago. She diligently used that degree to support their family while her beloved husband earned his degree, with the help of Pat, and the VA Bill from Western Michigan University.
She had a passion for sewing and she was a true seamstress. She added a label “LuvPats” to all of her loving talents.
When she wasn’t sewing, Pat was flower gardening, camping, entertaining family and friends, boating and spending time on the water with her sweetie and her family. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and will be dearly missed by those who loved her.
Pat was a member of the Ozark Chapel United Methodist Church and the Lady Elks Auxiliary in Laurie, Mo..
She is survived by her son Steve Whitney of Sunrise Beach, Mo.; daughters, Karen Benakis and husband John of Linn Creek, Mo., and Sara McElwee and husband Dale of Camdenton, Mo.; brother Robert Cook of Kalamazoo; six grandchildren, Lauren Neal and husband Jordan, Steven Whitney and fiancée Patty Turgeon, Whitney DeBourge and husband Justin, Joseph Cope, Nicholas Benakis and Andrew Whitney; a great-granddaughter Ariadne DeBourge; several nieces and nephews; and many friends.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sister Barbara Jean Gilpin and daughter-in-law Gwen Whitney.
Funeral services will be Saturday, Oct. 21, at 11 a.m. at Kidwell-Garber Laurie/Sunrise Beach Chapel. Graveside services and interment will follow in Garber Memorial Estates in Laurie, Mo. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m., Saturday, at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association. Expressions of sympathy may be left online at www.kidwellgarber.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Kidwell-Garber Laurie/Sunrise Beach Chapel.
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