MRS. MILBUR E. (THORPE) WHITAKER (1919-2011)
Milbur E. (Thorpe) Whitaker, a resident of Medford, Massachusetts since 1952 and the beloved wife of the late Edward E. Whitaker, Sr., died at her home on Tuesday, July 12, 2011, surrounded by her family. She was 91 years old.
Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on November 12, 1919, she was the youngest child of the late Simeon Aldus Thorpe and Josephine (Seale) Thorpe who both immigrated to the United States from Barbados, West Indies. Milbur was also the devoted sister of the late Simeon O. Thorpe, John A. “Fred” Thorpe, Stewart B. “Tom” Thorpe, Ruby U. Thorpe, and Iza A. Husbands.
As a young child, Milbur aspired to be a missionary and work with children. She fulfilled her dream as a long-time member of the West Medford Baptist Church where she faithfully served on the Board of Christian Education. When she retired several years ago as the Sunday School Superintendent, the church honored her for over 35 years of service. She continued to be active. More recently, the church also honored her as a life deacon.
Milbur attended the Cambridge Public Schools and graduated from the Boston Girls Trade School. She was an exceptional seamstress. Her daughters especially marveled at her talent for creating her own patterns from their sketches or from magazine pictures of a prom dress or special outfit that they begged her to make. Her hobbies included doll making and crocheting. She was a self-taught pianist and guitarist who often played for her Sunday school children. At home, she played the piano daily and sang her favorite gospel hymns. Throughout her life, she also loved solving crossword puzzles—an interest that began in her childhood with her older sisters. These and other gifts, she generously shared with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Despite her recent illness, she continued to share her wisdom with her family while in the hospital. She repeatedly stated, “Live a good life. Live a good Christian life.“ Her loving children will sorely miss her: Marlene Godfrey of Malden, Kathleen E. Farmer, Jacquelyn M. Whitaker, Edward E. Whitaker, Jr., and his wife Rhonda L. Whitaker, all of Medford, Pamela J. Whitaker-Gray and her husband Alfred A. Gray, Esq., of North Reading, Derrick S. Alleyne and his wife Lisa E. Alleyne of Medford, Vicki A. Fanning of North Carolina, and Cecil Galloway of Medford. She also leaves fourteen grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews, as well as her goddaughter, Marilyn O. Hinton of Everett, Massachusetts, and her son-in-law, Karl Farmer, Sr., of New Hampshire to mourn her loss.
Milbur's Funeral Service was celebrated in the West Medford Baptist Church, 59 Boston Avenue, West Medford, Tuesday, July 19, 2011, at noon.
Visiting hours were held in the Beals-Geake-Magliozzi Funeral Home, 29 Governors Avenue, Medford, Monday, July 18, 2011, from 4 to 8 PM. Interment was in Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford.
Many relatives and friends joined the family in the dining hall of the West Medford Baptist Church immediately following the Interment.
The family of Milbur Whitaker wishes to thank you for your prayers and expressions of kindness. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the West Medford Baptist Church, 59 Boston Avenue, Medford, MA 02155, for the camp scholarship fund. For additional information, please visit, www.magliozzifuneralhome.com.
May God Bless you.