Jeanne Horrell Whittington, 90, of Gainesville, passed away June 19, 2012 at the E.T. York Hospice Care Center. Mrs. Whittington was born on November 7, 1921 in Humbird, Wisconsin to George Henry Horrell and Carrie Lorena Horrell. She was the youngest of seven children. Upon graduation from high school in Waukeegan, Illinois, she participated in summer stock theater. She was also awarded a scholarship to Northwestern University, however with money scarce in the Great Depression, she went to work for the railroad instead of attending college.
The early part of WWII found her working as a railway clerk for the Santa Fe Railroad in Roswell, New Mexico, where she discovered her lifelong love of the American Southwest. She first contributed to the war effort through her work with the railroad. Still answering to the call of duty, she volunteered to serve in the Women’s Army Air Corp during WWII, attaining the rank of sergeant. It was during her tour of duty in Orlando, Florida that she met her future husband, fighter pilot and flight instructor, Curtis A. Whittington, Jr.. Mrs. Whittington was a devoted Air Force wife who raised four children, of whom she was very proud.
When her husband retired from the Judge Advocate General’s Office , though, she created a second career for herself of which she was also very proud. She became the medical office manager of Andrews and Associates in 1969. From 1969 until her retirement on 1994 she had the good fortune to be a part of the exciting growth and success of that practice, which by that time had become the Gainesville Medical Group. Upon retirement, she traveled extensively and enjoyed one of her favorite recreational passions, fly fishing. Mrs. Whittington also contributed volunteer time to the Democratic Party, and the National Organization for Women. She contributed to the Southern Poverty Law Center, belonged to the American Civil Liberties Union and picketed for Labor Union Rights in the mid 1990″s. She was committed to human rights for all and possessed a quiet and determined resolve to help further that cause.
She is survived by children Michael Whittington (Betsy) of Texas, Diana Whittington (Ron) of Virginia , Miles Whittington, Sr., (Pat) of Texas, and Meredith Whittington-Bacharach (Albert) of Gainesville. She is survived also by 12 grandchildren Penelope Claire Satterwhite, Rivkah Bacharach , Elizabeth McNulty-Whittington (Lauren), Meredith C. Strobridge Crandall (Aydan), Nathaniel Oseep (Lesley), Chaya Sarah Bacharach, Sarah Whittington, Ashley Ann Strobridge, Avigail Ruth Bacharach, William Oliver Bacharach, Miles Whittington, Jr., and Marlee Whittington. She is also survived by five great-grandchildren, Toviah Bacharach, Vivian Jeanne Oseep, Eleanor McNulty-Whittington, Ruby McNulty-Whittington, and Curtis Whittington Oseep. She is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service and reception will be held on July 5th from 12:00 noon to 3pm at the E.T. York Hospice Care Center, 4200 NW 90th Blvd, Gainesville, FL. Internment will be held at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery with Military Honors. Arrangements are under the care of Forest Meadows Funeral Home, 352-378-2528. Please sign the guest book at www.forestmeadowsfh.com. Although Mrs. Whittington loved flowers, the family is asking anyone who is inspired to give to consider making a contribution either with volunteer efforts or with a monetary gift to any of the following organizations that were important to her: Haven Hospice of North Central Florida, www.havenhospice.org; The American Civil Liberties Union, www.aclu.org; Planned Parenthood, www.plannedparenthood.org; The National Organization for Women, www.now.org; the Southern Poverty Law Center, www.splcenter.org; and/ or the Alachua County Democratic Party, www.alachuadems.org
