Elizabeth Jane Whistler

Elizabeth Jane “Betty” Whistler passed away Sunday, December 5, 2021 at home. She was born in Detroit, Michigan on July 13, 1931 to Mabel and John Robinson. She grew up with her brother Charles and sister Carol. Josephine Bourgeois was a lifelong best friend from childhood in Detroit who passed away last year. Betty was a graduate of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor with a degree in Education. While at the U of M she began corresponding with her future husband, John. After graduating, Betty travelled to California where she began her elementary teaching career. After marrying John, an Air Force pilot, she travelled and taught in elementary schools during their years in San Antonio, TX, Hampton, VA, Tachikawa AFB, Japan, back to Hampton, then Hawaii, back to Langley, then Myrtle Beach, SC where John retired before moving back to Hampton. She ended her teaching career at Palmer Elementary in Newport News. John and Betty enjoyed their many travels together and their experiences with other cultures and people. She was also very content to be home in her beautiful yard tending flowers and plants that she shared with all her friends whenever they visited. If you knew her, you probably were at least offered a plant or flower. Another favorite place was their farm in Appomattox. They both put in lots of sweat and hard work maintaining a family getaway. At the farm she always took a walk to the river that borders the property where she would sit in the shade and enjoy the soft sound of the river, most always accompanied by at least one dog. Betty’s sister calls her an Angel on Earth because she was such a loving and caring person who had a genuine interest and an amazing memory of everyone she met, whether it was family, co-workers, neighbors, or a cashier at a check out line. A letter writer extraordinaire, she continually corresponded through cards and letters with friends and family she had had for 50 to 60 years or more. She enjoyed teaching but also relished learning and was always reading at least one book, often autobiographies or biographies of a diverse group of historical to present day people. Betty enjoyed classical music, opera, and live theatre in the area and supported the arts. She loved visiting historical, airplane, and art museums across the country. Betty loved all animals and had dogs and a couple of cats along the way with most relishing her hugs and kisses. Every day, Betty did at least one crossword puzzle from the newspaper and played some of her favorite pieces on the piano. Betty was preceded in death by her brother Charles Robinson. She is survived by the love of her life, John, their two children, Jo, John and his wife Nora, her sister Carol and her husband Jeff Hulting, her sister in law Mary Whistler, and nieces and nephews, Katie, Ralph and his wife Bernie, Barbie and her husband Glen, John Matt, Erik and his wife Amy, Kristina and her partner Louie, Brittany and her husband Kurt, and their families. In her final good byes, Betty thanked her family, friends, and wonderful neighbors for the joy, love, and friendship they had shared. The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 18, 2021 at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home 2551 N. Armistead Ave Hampton, VA 23666. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Children's Hospital of the Kings Daughters in Norfolk, VA or any favorite charity.