Mary Nora Whitaker

She was a true original! Born to Gus and Nora Oxler December 23, 1922, a Christmas gift, and the only girl with five brothers. She was the fourth of six as her younger brothers always pointed out. Mary attended St. Elizabeth’s grade school, St. Teresa High School and St Teresa’s college (now Avila College) before joining TWA as a hostess. She married C. Craig Whitaker November 17, 1945 after his return from services as a P-51 pilot with the Army Air Corps in the European Theatre.

Craig and Mary live in Vetville, South Bend, Indiana on the campus of Notre Dame University until Craig received his degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1949. They moved to Minneapolis, MN, and Chicago, IL with Whitaker Cable Corp., the business his father, Jack P. Whitaker founded. Besides being a devoted mother and wife, Mary managed to volunteer at St. Ann’s school, Circle 7, St. Mary’s Hospital, KC Art Institute (Fireside), Lakemary Center, Little Sisters of the Poor, and Notre Dame Auxiliary. She played golf, tennis, did gardening, and was an avid bridge player. Her friends and family will remember her as a free-thinker who never stopped searching, a courageous woman with extraordinary spirit and curiosity who lived life to the end.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Gus and Nora Oxler, her brothers, Tom (Beverly), Mike (Mildred), Joe (Joyce), John (Mary Lou), Gus, and her beloved husband, Craig and daughter, Constance Whitaker Maffin (Bob). She is mourned by her sister-in-law Harriet Oxler, daughter Jan Van Hoose (Jim), sons Craig Whitaker, Dr. Ted Whitaker (Mary), Brian Whitaker (Laura), nine grandchildren, ten great, grandchildren & another expected this month, and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 9:00-10:00am on Friday, November 10th followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am in St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 7231 Mission Rd., Prairie Village, KS 66208. Interment will follow in Forest Hill and Calvary Cemetery, 6901 Troost Ave., Kansas City, MO 64131.

In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions to Lakemary Center, 15145 S. Keeler St., Olathe, KS 66062 or the charity of your choice.