Mary C. Whitley

88, passed away suddenly January 27, 2018 at Mease Countryside Hospital. Born and raised in St. Petersburg, she graduated from St. Petersburg High School. She was preceded in death by her parents, Aubrey and Catherine Patten and brother, Aubrey. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Robert E. Whitley and her daughters, Mary Saldin, Carol Whitley and Karen Bell (Steve), 2 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren and siblings John Patten and Marian Chaple.

She and her family lived in Pensacola, Corpus Christi, Texas, San Francisco, Guam, Port Angeles, Washington, Elizabeth City, North Carolina, Kodiak, Alaska and Cape Cod before returning to Clearwater in 1979 to complete her husband’s Coast Guard career.

She greatly enjoyed traveling and sightseeing and had an extraordinary talent in planning each trip to a new city to maximize the sightseeing opportunities en route. She also carefully planned summer vacation trips from the cities where they lived to visit very impressive sights and attend special events.

After her husband retired, she planned all of their trips to France, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Austria, England, Scotland and Ireland. She also enjoyed trips to Hawaii and many cities and sights in Canada, especially the Rocky Mountains.

She enjoyed activities with her children. She was a Girl Scout leader for many years with Brownies, Juniors and Cadets. She was an elementary school room mother for many years. She also enjoyed square and round dancing for over 40 years.

Mary’s memorial service will be Saturday, February 17 at Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home, 2853 Sunset Point Road in Clearwater. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Humane Society of Pinellas, 3040 State Road 590 in Clearwater.