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Mary Whitney Obituary
Mary Louise Whitney, 92, of Topeka, died on Sunday, December 15, 2013 at Lexington Park in Topeka.
Mary was born on June 25, 1921 in Olathe to Alfred Marion and Lillie Mae (Riffey) Harris. She graduated from Olathe High School.
Mary worked as a guidance secretary for Topeka High School, retiring in 1978. She was a member of the Association of Educational Secretaries and was a resident of Topeka for over 46 years.
Mary was married to James R. (Rudy) Whitney on June 11, 1941 in Yates Center; he preceded her in death on August 31, 1991.
Survivors include a daughter, Barbara J. Brammell of Topeka; son, Wayne R. (Judy) Whitney of Lawrence; 4 grandchildren, Kristy (David) Smith of Texarkana, TX, Vickie (Thor) Melicher of Overland Park, Heather (Arturo) Sesma of Minneapolis, MN, and Justin (Jill) Whitney of Lawrence and 8 great-grandchildren, Jake and Kara Smith, Steven Melicher, Alejandro and Javier Sesma, Madison, Brinley, and Chase Whitney.
She was preceded in death by brothers, Leon E. Harris, Alva Harris, and Clarence H. Harris; sister, Bessie Ore-Miller, and son-in-law, Roger Brammell.
A funeral ceremony will be at 1 p.m., Saturday, December 21, 2013 at the Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel, 1321 SW 10th Ave., Topeka. Interment will follow at Olathe Memorial Cemetery, 738 N Chestnut St., Olathe.
Mary will lie in state from 2:00-5:00 p.m., Friday, December 20 and the family will receive friends on Saturday, December 21 from 12:00-1:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Rochester Church of the Brethren, 3201 NW Rochester Rd, Topeka, KS 66617 or to the charity of the donor's choice. To leave a message for the family online, please visit www.PenwellGabelTopeka.com.
Please sign this guestbook at Obituaries.LJWorld.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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Penwell-Gabel Cremations, Funerals & Receptions - Topeka1321 SW 10th Ave, Topeka, KS 66604
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