Obituary of Ida-Mae Whittaker

Ida Mae (Keen) Whittaker April 30, 2010 Ida Mae (Keen) Whittaker, 94, died Friday at the Nottingham Nursing Home. She was a lifelong resident of the Syracuse area. Ida Mae graduated from Onondaga Valley Central High School and attended Syracuse University. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Syracuse, Circle-C, DeWitt Community Church and Eastern Hills Bible Church. Ida Mae spent most of her life ministering to others and was an active volunteer at the Rescue Mission. She was known as the "pen lady," who would hand out free pens with the inscription "Smile, God Loves You." Ida Mae was a member of the Corinthian Club, Onondaga Rose Society, past president of Bradford Heights Garden Club and won many awards for her flower arrangements. She was also an avid artist and was a member of several local art guilds. She was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Gaylord D. Whittaker. Survivors include her five children, W. Douglas (Shawn) of Cincinnatus, NY, Deborah J. of Denver, CO, J. David (Jeanne) of Marietta, GA, G. Daniel (Dixie) of Lakewood, CO, and Carolyn K. (Ron) Weaver of Auburn, CA; 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. A private family service will be held Tuesday, May 4, at Fairchild and Meech Dewitt Chapel; burial will follow at Valley Cemetery. Contributions may be made to the Syracuse Rescue Mission, 155 Gifford Street, Syracuse, NY 13202.