Mary Evelyn Whitney

Mary Evelyn (Fox) Whitney departed this life on July 30, 2021 after a full life, richly lived. Born to Edward and Julia Fox in Troy N.Y., Mary grew up in nearby Lansingburgh, where she attended Catholic Central High School. She received a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts, both in history, from the College of Saint Rose in Albany, N.Y. Mary was a lifelong learner. She was an avid reader, a dedicated teacher, and a woman possessed of deep curiosity about the world. During her career in education, she touched the lives of many students and teachers. Mary’s teaching career began in Greenwich and Smithtown, N.Y., where she taught junior high school social studies. Subsequently, she joined the New York State Education Department as a teacher certification specialist. She progressed in leadership to become coordinator of the regional certification offices. As a young woman, she also traveled independently, visiting many nations around the world, and always learning from each experience. Above all, Mary was devoted to her family. She met her future husband, James H. Whitney, while working at the Education Department. They raised one daughter, Sarah E. Whitney. When Sarah was young, Mary found new ways to use her love of teaching, leading Girl Scout troops, religious education classes, and more. Later, she returned to the classroom as a fifth-grade teacher at St. Thomas the Apostle Elementary School in Delmar, N.Y. Her educational career came full circle when she returned to the State Education Department. After her retirement, she kept active through travel and a steady diet of books. She discovered the joys of cat parenthood, and enriched the lives of her fur-children, Spidey and Spinnur. Mary was especially happy to take on a new role as “Granny” to her grandsons, Jack Fox and Reid Fox Warren. Mary is survived by her beloved husband and daughter, her son-in-law Craig A. Warren, her grandsons, her treasured sister Anne Marie Bauman (James), nephew Jeff Bauman (Maggie), niece Jennifer Parsons (Jon), Patricia Haggenmiller (Reiner), a cousin who was more like a sister, goddaughter Krista Lienau (Torsten), two grand-nephews and two grand-nieces. A Private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Memorials in her name may be addressed to the Richmond SPCA, whose work caring for animals was important to her. Mary made life special for all those around her. We will miss her very much, and we are glad she is at peace.