Mary W. (Wheeler) Whitehouse

Mary W. Whitehouse passed away suddenly on May 7, 2022 at St Joseph Living Center.  She had recently celebrated her 96th birthday and was fortunate to be on the receiving end of a wonderful outpouring of gifts, love and visits from her neighbors, friends and family.  And every day she was blessed to have the best roommate one could imagine, Kathleen Fitzgerald.

Mary was predeceased by her loving husband Sidney Whitehouse, parents Noyes and Mary Wheeler, sisters Kay and Jean, and brothers Jim, Tom, Noyes and David.  She is survived by her youngest sister Linda Sypher, her daughters Joanne Whitehouse and Barbara Whitehouse, her son-in-law Robert Amatruda and many loving nieces and nephews, as well as her longtime friends & roommate.

She graduated from Windham High School and then attended Willimantic Teachers College for several years until she decided that being a teacher was not her calling.  She then married her high school “crush”, Sidney, and they raised their daughters in Columbia, CT creating wonderful memories for a lifetime for them all.

Mary became a widow in 1981 and a year later moved back to Willimantic to be close to her family and also reconnect with long-time friends. She bought a sweet Cape on High Street, and it was there that her real gardening passion and talent blossomed.

She had a long and varied work life, making and keeping friends along the way, especially her close women friends who worked with her at Todd’s. Later she retired from Pratt & Whitney and then went on to have a great PT “retirement” job at the former Willimantic Savings Institute. She left the bank after 12 years and became a volunteer at SJLC for many more years.

Mary loved to garden, bird watch, read, knit, watch Jeopardy (and anyone who knew her well, knew NOT to call even close to 7 pm or until after 7:30 pm), eat pizza without cheese, sip her coffee on the back deck, cuddle with her cat Buster and help those less fortunate than herself when she could.

But visiting with people and sharing stories was her favorite pastime. Her story telling and sense of humor kept her friends coming by and with a little wine flowing, the stories probably got even funnier by the glass.

Mary spent her last 4 years living at SJLC where she was surrounded by old friends and some new ones. The family especially thanks the caring staff at St. Joe’s for their love and respect shown to Mom during her days there. Mom was able to continue her daily ritual of one glass of red wine with lunch…even on her last day.

Cheers to you, Mom, now rest in peace.

 A service celebrating Mary will be held at a later date. Meanwhile, if the spirit moves you, feel free to make a donation in her memory to SJLC, 14 Club Road, Windham, CT 06280 or to any other organization of your choosing that does work to help make someone’s day better.

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