Gordon Stewart Whitten, age 81, of Roseville, MI. passed away on Monday, December 26, 2022 at Autumn Woods Health Care Facility in Warren, MI. Gordon was born December 16, 1941 in Meridian, MS, to the late Victor & Margaret (Doherty) Whitten.
In 1963, Gordon joined the United States Air Force following in the footsteps of his father. It was there that he was trained in the computer field. He then launched into his lifelong career in computer programming and analysis with various healthcare and financial institutions.
In 1970, he met the love of his life Cynthia Fabian. They married the same year and shared many adventures in travel. They traveled to Ireland in search of Gordon’s lost relatives who welcomed them with open arms. They enjoyed several backpacking trips to National Parks in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Montana with Cynthia's brother Fr Jack and other Fabian family members plus many dear friends.
Though he loved being free to do this he longed for his own family. Heather Elizabeth arrived in 1976 and brought such joy to his heart. Andrew Fabian came three years later. He took them on many adventures and delighted in their presence. Years later they were asked to consider adding a foster daughter, Be Thi Le to their family and be has remained very dear to them. In 2013 Heather gave them the gift of a grandchild, Madison Grace. She continued to delight her Beepa and make him smile right up to the end.
Gordie converted to Catholicism in the early nineties and joined Cynthia in daily Mass attendance. He received comfort and gained many dear friends as a result of this habit. For the past 25 years he has been a third order member of the Companion of Christ the Lamb, a Catholic Community based in the Diocese of Marquette, MI.
Gordon is survived by his wife Cynthia, his children; Heather Busch & Andrew Whitten, granddaughter Madison Grace Busch, foster daughter Be Whitten; his sister Mary (Duane) Geiger and his nieces & nephews; Dan (Andrea) Geiger, Tricia (Andrew) Burkley, Kathleen Naegele, Cheryl Hemingway, Michael Fabian, Ed Fabian, Barb Grabski, Karen Fabian, Denis Fabian, Colleen Duch, Kelly Remick, Jennifer Owczarek, Amy Duval, Matt Fabian, and Patrick Fabian.
A Memorial Mass will be held Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 11:00 AM, Instate 10:00 AM at St. Pio of Pietrelcina Catholic Church, 18720 E 13 Mile Rd., Roseville, MI 48066. A burial will be held in early summer in Paradise, MI in the cemetery of Companions of Christ the Lamb. In lieu of flowers, send memorial contributions to: Companions of Christ the Lamb, P.O. Box 12, Paradise, MI 49768.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.kaul-fh.net for the Whitten family.
