MARYN WILSON WHITNEY
The world lost Maryn Ellis Wilson Whitney on October 23, 2018. Words to describe her are loving, patient, intelligent, supportive, adaptable, tenacious, funny, clever, strong of mind, body and spirit, friendly, adventuresome, talented, curious and generally remarkable.
Maryn was born in July 1929 to Delma & Mervyn Wilson in Lodi, CA. She lived in that area with her family until she left to attend UC Berkeley as a music major. She was an accomplished pianist and her rendition of “Flight of the Bumblebee” thrilled her children as they listened and watched her fingers flying over the keys.
Maryn met the love of her life, Galen Whitney in grammar school. They dated intermittently while at Lodi High School, but true love evolved, and they were married in March 1949. They soon moved to the Sacramento River Delta and spent the remainder of their lives on the family ranch as true partners. Maryn was an amazing mother and, in a sibling share, we realized that she somehow had made each of us feel that he/she was Mom’s favorite child.
Maryn had many passions but two major ones were travel and reading. She and Galen traveled the world and even lived in Syria for 6 months while Galen consulted on an irrigation project. After Galen died Maryn continued to travel, occasionally with her daughters. She had an agile and curious mind and was knowledgeable on a broad spectrum of topics. One of Maryn’s great joys was her beloved Great Books group. This was a special group of ladies who explored varying genres of literature together and, over many years, formed a caring, supportive connection.
Maryn was preceded in death by Galen in 2005. She will be profoundly missed by daughters Barbara Kent (Kevin) and Gail Whitney-King, and son Brian Whitney; by grandchildren Erika Bradbury, Jason Kent (Dorothea), Mark King (Jessica), Bradley Whitney (Sarah), and Lucas Whitney (Emily); and by greatgrandchildren Darren & Lindsey Bradbury, Elise & Samuel Kent, Taylor, Whitney & Eli King, and Lila & Lucas Whitney. She also leaves an extended family and many friends.
A private memorial is being planned. To those wishing to make a gift in memory of Maryn please donate to the Courtland Firefighter’s Association, PO Box 163, Courtland, CA 95615 or Sutter Care at Home Hospice, 8330 Ferguson Ave., Sacramento, CA 95828.
Please sign the guest book at www.lodinews.com/ guestbook.