Obituary of Jeanette R. Whittaker

GREENVILLE – Jeanette R. “Jean” Whittaker, age 75, passed away suddenly at her residence on Monday, February 10, 2014, and is now reunited with her beloved husband, John. Born in Jamaica, NY on Nov. 10, 1938, she was daughter of the late Joseph and Rose Buchwald Karas, and wife of the late John W. Whittaker, Sr., who predeceased her on Oct. 26, 2010. Jean was raised in Richmondville. She and John moved to Cobleskill as newlyweds. They lived in Westchester County for several years, until settling in Greenville in 1967. Jean was a stay-at-home mom when her boys were young. She was a Den Mother when her boys were in Scouting, and she never missed a sporting event, which has carried down to her grandchildren’s activities. She then became a valued employee of Pine Lake Manor in Greenville, where she has worked at the snack bar from 1978 to present. Jean was a member of the Friends of the Greenville Public Library, and volunteered for many fund-raising events. She was a communicant of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Cobleskill, and St. John the Baptist Church in Greenville. She and John enjoyed traveling to the Western and Southern United States, and visiting casinos along the way. Following John’s death, her closest friend, Barbara Conlon became her traveling companion. Jean is survived by her sons, John Jr. (Katherine), James (Maureen), Jeffrey (Sonya) and Mark (Carolyn); 8 grandchildren, John III, Kaileigh, Gideon (Megen), Caleb, Taryn, Jeffrey, Jeremy and Mark Jr.; two brothers, Robert (Laura) Karas and their daughter Tammy, and Joseph (Marilyn) Karas; her in-laws, Henry (Mona) Whittaker and Cheryl Whittaker; several nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be Thursday, Feb. 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. at A.J. Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 State Route 81, Greenville. Funeral Mass will be Friday, Feb. 14 at 11 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church, 4987 State Route 81, Greenville. Spring burial will be in St. Vincent de Paul Cemetery, Cobleskill. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Greenville Public Library, PO Box 8, Greenville, NY 12083 will be appreciated. Light a candle at ajcunninghamfh.com.