Wendy Marie Whiting's Obituary
Wendy Marie Whiting died unexpectedly in her home in Vineyard, Utah on April 25, 2021. Wendy was born March 14, 1965 in Lansing, Michigan to her surviving parents Gordon and Barbara Whiting. She was a loving and caring presence in the lives of her family and friends and her absence is profoundly felt.
Wendy was a beautiful child, with dark hair, happy eyes, and a joyous laugh. She loved holidays and special occasions spent with family. Each birthday and every Christmas was a time of great excitement and joy. As a young child, she had a proclivity towards things spiritual and waited in great anticipation for her baptismal day. She always wanted to go on a mission for the LDS church, and did so as a young woman, serving in the Florida, Ft. Lauderdale Mission.
Wendy had a compassionate heart and a great ability to empathize with others. She received a Bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University in psychology and went on to work for the State of Utah as a case manager in Child Protective Services. In this role, she was able to use her natural talents to help some of the most vulnerable among us, children who had experienced neglect and abuse. During the thirty years she worked for Child Protective Services her impact was long-reaching and profound.
Wendy had the heart of an artist and her talents were displayed in numerous ways. She had the ability to cross stitch intricate patterns, to knit three-dimensional cartoon characters, to make elaborate blankets with frogs popping out, and to create complicated balloon animals, all to the delight of her family and friends.
She was a loving and much beloved aunt to her eleven nieces and nephews. Wendy joyed in showering attention on them. At family gatherings she was known to spend most of her time playing with the children and generally avoiding the adults—a wise strategy indeed! Some of her happiest moments were spent holding an infant, playing a game, entertaining a child, or simply listening to what they had to say. She had a natural ability to relate to them and was always working to think of activities to please them.
All of us struggle with our own private issues, but for Wendy her challenges were manifest for all the world to see, which often lead to ridicule and social stigma. Despite this, she was fiercely independent, refusing to burden family members or friends with her troubles or her physical pain, and worked hard to be self-sufficient. While she never had a family of her own, she was like a mother to many, and found a way to connect to the downcast and lonely among us.
Wendy was a beloved presence and her passing leaves a deep void. She will be sorely missed by her parents, siblings, cousins, nephews, nieces and friends.
Wendy’s Loving Family
Gordon and Barbara Whiting
David, Kathy, Dania Ellingson and family, Tori, and Ben Whiting
Michael, Alison, Adalyn, El, Josie, Zachary, Tessa, and Finley Whiting
Steve, Dallin, and Jackie Whiting
Funeral Service
Saturday, May 1, 2021--- 10:00 am
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
970 North 400 East, Mapleton, Utah
Services may also be viewed remotely starting at 9:30 am at the following link:
https://churchofjesuschrist.zoom.us/j/92150124357?pwd=MzFGZWEvaCtZQ2t6ZEJFa04yQlBSdz09
Passcode (if asked): 111
What’s your fondest memory of Wendy?
What’s a lesson you learned from Wendy?
Share a story where Wendy's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Wendy you’ll never forget.
How did Wendy make you smile?