Phoebe Carol Whistler

Phoebe was born December 17, 1939, and raised in Rochester, Minnesota by her parents John Francis & Phoebe Margaret O’Connell. Phoebe grew up on a farm in a big family as the 13th child with eight sisters and seven brothers. Phoebe is reunited with her family as her parents and 15 siblings had entered heaven prior to Phoebes passing. Phoebe is survived by her children & stepchildren, Toni Hoffman of Lawrenceville GA, Ron (Maryjane) Jones of San Jose CA, Angela Hampt of Las Vegas, NV, Kathy Carson of Mesa AZ, Jeannie (Larry) Jensen of Battleground, Washington, Brian (Anita) Jones of Juneau AK, Terry (Amy) Jones of Reno NV and Greg (Ursula) Jones of Juneau AK and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

After graduating from High School, Phoebe enlisted in the Air Force, proudly served 3 years and was honorably discharged. Phoebe met Staff Sergeant Dewey Jones while in the Air Force. Phoebe and Dewey were married in 1961, and Phoebe became Mom to Dewey’s two children from a prior marriage, daughter Toni Ann and son Ron. They moved to Omaha, Nebraska where daughter Kathy was born then moved to Juneau, Alaska in 1964 where sons Brian, Terry and Greg where born, and Phoebe would raise her family.

Phoebe was an incredibly devoted mother to her six children, making sure all her children had clean clothes every day and school lunches that included fresh baked treats. Phoebe participated in many school and non-school events for her children while maintaining a clean household and daily home-cooked dinners. Phoebe did all those tasks while operating a day care service for neighbor children. Phoebe was a multitasking super Mom.

Phoebe would begin the next phase of her amazing life when her first marriage ended in divorce. Phoebe went back into the work force as an office manager & accountant for several Heating Oil services companies. Phoebe worked at the oil services companies over the next several years along with working a night-time retail sales job and then went to work for the State of Alaska.

Phoebe met an extraordinarily wonderful man; Jim Whistler and they were married in 1982. Over the next several years Phoebe and Jim lived many adventures going to great locations in Alaskan waters on their twin diesel cabin cruiser.

Upon retirement Phoebe and Jim decided to get a big comfortable RV and drive the lower 48 states to find a location that would be their retirement home. They traveled all over the country and finally decided to settle in Mesa, Arizona in the wonderful golf course retirement resort Leisure World. Jim passed in 2010.

Phoebe and Jim are reunited to continue their adventures in heaven.

There will be no services as Phoebe’s final wishes were to be cremated and have her ashes scattered by family members. Family will gather together to fulfill this request. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to the St Jude Children’s Center be made in Phoebe Whistler’s name.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mariposagardens.com for the Whistler family.