Margaret Whiteman, 82
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Margaret Whiteman, 82, of Yarmouth, formerly of Williamstown, died Friday, Jan. 8, 2010, at home, surrounded by family.
Born in West Haven, Conn., daughter of Michael and Florence Breen McKeon, she attended St. Lawrence's Elementary School and graduated in 1945 from West Haven High School. She earned her nursing degree at St. Francis' School of Nursing in Hartford, Conn., in 1947
Mrs. Whiteman was employed as a nurse for many years and during the 1970s was a nurse practitioner at Williams College, where she enjoyed working with students. She also was a surgical nurse at the George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C., and later at Yale-New Haven Hospital. Over the years, she volunteered with the visiting nurses, the American Red Cross, Reading for the Blind and Catholic Nurses Association, and often provided care for the homeless, the elderly and the poor.
She particularly loved music and had participated in the choirs at St. Patrick's and at St. Pius X in Yarmouth, and enjoyed her involvement in many church ministries.
After retirement, she did humanitarian work with the poor in Haiti. She lectured on the poverty and health needs of that country and solicited funds and material donations for ongoing projects to provide basic needs, medical care and educational facilities. She traveled with the organization Amour en Action, ministering and caring for the poorest of the poor in remote regions of Haiti, at personal risk during a politically volatile period. Her family took great pride in her dedication to helping others.
Throughout her own life, Mrs. Whiteman was deeply devoted to the sanctity and value of all human life. Despite her many years of physical afflictions and suffering, she maintained her convictions and inspired many to value life despite adversity. In her final years, through her example, she routinely challenged others to understand her philosophy and respect her wishes, said family.
Her beloved husband, Charles Whiteman, and a son-in-law, Thomas Van Bree, are deceased.
She leaves three daughters, Diane Moudouris and her husband, George, with home she made her home, Carol Van Bree of Miami and Laurie Whiteman and her husband, Jonathan Wiener, of McLean, Va.; a son, Rory Whiteman and his wife, Valerie, of Dennis; a sister, Carolyn Kokoska and her husband, Stan, of Willimantic, Conn.; six grandchildren, Sarah, 20, Michael, 15, and Rachel, 13, Weiner, all of McLean, and Nicholas, 22, Kelsey, 20, and Christiana, 18, Van Bree, all of Miami, and many loved nieces and nephews and their children.
Her family wishes to extend their deep and sincere appreciation to the many caregivers whose love and support sustained her for 10 years.
FUNERAL NOTICE — The funeral for Mrs. Whiteman will be Friday, Jan. 15, at 12:15 from Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams, followed by a Funeral Mass at 1 at St. Patrick's Church in Williamstown. Burial will follow in Eastlawn Cemetery.
Calling hours will be Thursday, Jan. 14, from 5 to 7 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to to Amour en Action or Catholic Relief Services.