Patricia Ann Whittaker

Patricia Ann Whittaker was born in Boston Massachusetts on February 27, 1942 to Charles Kenneth and Gladys Esther Johnson.  She was the second of four daughters and is predeceased by her Sisters Winnifred Felder, Charlotte Herring, Maxine Keel, and Nephew Gregory Keith Wortham.  Patricia is survived by her husband of 61 years, David Whittaker Jr., her sister-in-law Sharon Dean Whittaker and best friend Charlotte Patricia Smith.  She is also survived by her bonus son, Kevin Thacker, daughters Tracy Whittaker-Brown, Lauren Cheatham-Horton, son-in-law Curtis Horton, Kristin Whittaker and son-in-law Michael Maynard.  Patricia will be missed by her beloved nieces and nephews Clayton Felder, Sonja Herring, Michael Keel, Staci Hill, Collette Ferriabough, William Ferriabough, Eric Keel, and Stefani Nye.  She will also be missed by her grand children Camryn Cheatham, Maia Brown, Kenneth Thacker, Jared Cheatham, Simone Brown, and leaves multiple great nieces and nephews.

Pattie, as many called her, attended Boston Public Schools and graduated from Jeremiah E. Burke High School, marrying soon after the completion of Finishing School.  She worked various jobs while David attended college.  Once he started his career at IBM she attended college with three young children at home.  She earned her degree and became certified by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, but her need to do more and seize opportunities lead to a dynamic business career where she developed and grew nonprofits (YWCA), managed start ups in emerging industries such as CableVision and LoJack, and sat on a number of boards.

Patricia liked to have an impact; she took pleasure in mentoring, enriching many a young life.  She used her distinctive voice and presence to champion paths of success, any underdog or what she thought was right.  Pattie was a leader even in later years as a memory care patient. She passed peacefully at home with her daughter and son-in-law by her side on December 17, 2022.  Her love and light will live on in our hearts.