Thelma E. Whiteside

Thelma E. Whiteside (nee Metcalfe), recently of Jupiter, FL, died on September 11, 2021 at the age of 92. Mrs. Whiteside, wife of the late William (Bill) Whiteside, was born in Gilford, Northern Ireland on September 2, 1929. She studied legal secretary courses, met and married Mr. Whiteside, and moved to Montreal, Canada in 1952. In 1954 the couple moved to Stratford, CT for Mr. Whiteside’s job with Sikorsky Aircraft. Thelma worked as a legal secretary for several firms in Bridgeport, CT, settling into a part-time position with Tellalian & Tellalian while raising their two children, John and Beth. After retiring in 1987, Thelma and Bill became “snowbirds,” maintaining homes in both Stratford and Jupiter, FL, eventually becoming full time Florida residents.

Thelma was known and beloved by her friends and neighbors in Stratford and Jupiter. She will be remembered for her years as a “band mom” at Bunnell High School, leading Jupiter Bay community social activities and water aerobics, and for her grit and independence until the end of her life. She had just moved closer to family in Houston, and was looking forward to her next chapter. She passed away at her son’s home in Houston surrounded by family.

She is survived by her son, John Whiteside and his husband, Rolf Ackermann, of Houston, Texas; her daughter, Elizabeth Whiteside, of San Francisco, California; her grandson, Alexander Janetos of San Francisco, California; her grandniece Tamsin Mansley of Groton, MA; and extended family in Northern Ireland. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Trustbridge Hospice Care of Florida, who provided compassionate end of life care to her husband William in 2016. (www.trustbridge.com or 5300 East Avenue, West Palm Beach, Florida 33407).

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