To Whipple's family, I worked with Whipple at the Ministry of Citizenship and Culture from the mid 70s until we moved on to other endeavors. Whipple was a woman of great intellect, warmth, humor and compassion. She will be greatly missed. I wish you much strength in the coming months and years.

Dear Mr. Olsen and Elizabeth, My prayers are with you and your extended family over the sudden death of dear Whipple. Please know there are so many here in Portland, Oregon grieving your loss with you. Please call if there is anything we can do to help your healing. With love, Derianna

Dear Kathy,Tracey,Donna and Bill and Marilyn, We were so sorry to hear about your aunt Whip. We have heard so much about her over the years and she sounded like such and amazing woman. Our thoughts are with you in this difficult time. Condolences Natalie and Brooke Gangbar

Gloria and i wish to express our deepest sumpathy to the family. Whipple was a long time colleague in the Ontarion Government and then later a partner in the Quarter Century Club in Ontario. She was a leader in the dramatic transformation of that organization to an independant entity. Busy days at the Mental Health Commission of Canada and the Mental Health Partnerships of Canada(a new charity) have not allowed us to attend. Gloria and Glenn Thompson

I extend my condolences to the entire family and especially to Todd and Donna whom I know. I knew Whipple at the Lake Couchiching Conference. She was a stalwart at the Couchiching Institute on Public Affairs.

To Whipple's Family, I am an old friend and workmate of Whipple's dating back to the early &mid sixties when we both started our careers working for the Citizenship Dept. at Queen's Park. It was wonderful to have another young person at the department and Whipple and I spent a lot of time together at work, going to lunches, visiting each other's homes and even going to Whip's family home in north Peterborough. They were fun years when we were starting out and what I remember most is Whipple's wonderful sense of humour and her great sense of fun. Her ambivalence toward her given name was a source of a lot of chuckles. She said that in elementary school she asked God why her mother just couldn't have named her Gertrude. And she recounted the time when she was working as a Liason Officer for Citizenship and bumped into a teacher at a site she visited for the government. After literally bumping into the teacher on a streetcar, the man said he'd forgotten her name. "Its Whipple", she said, and he responded unbelievingly "oh yeah, and I'm Napolean"! Even though we lost contact close to forty years ago, I have carried so many memories of Whipple with me over the years. I think I always kind of hoped that I would hear of her and spend some time with her laughing about old times. I am deeply saddened by her death and I would like to send your family and her sister my most heartfelt condolences. She was a wonderful person. Karen Carney (Marinett, Elwood)

I would like to express my sincere sympathy to Whipple's family, and to share a small, but quite vivid memory of her from about 1961, when we were both students at Queen's University, and active in the Debating club. The topic was "Resolved that women should be kept barefoot, pregnant and in the ktichen". Remember that this was in the Dark Ages of gender equality, and this was a quotation from some so-called humorist, maybe James Thurber. Anyway, I was defending the resolution and Whipple was on the opposing side. She entered the room and immediately had the audience on her side because she was wearing a pillow under her sweater, to appear pregnant, wore no shoes, and carried some sort of kitchen implement, a frying pan, or spatula! My male colleague and I did not stand a chance after that entrance! Whipple and her partner demolished our arguments with wit, intelligence and good old-fashioned chutzpah. I remember thinking she will go far, and many years later when we were both senior civil servants, me in Ottawa, and Whipple in Toronto, we ran into each other at a conference and recalled this funny little incident of so many years before. To her husband, her siblings and everyone in her extended family, please accept these condolences on the death of a warm-hearted and dynamic woman from someone who remembers her with affection and respect.

To Bill, Donna & Family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Whipple was a vibrant woman and her presence will be missed. Wishing you and yours nothing but happiness and good health in the times ahead.

Louise and I were very fortunate to have met such a dynamic and resourceful person as Whipple when attending National Defence College. She again displayed the same enthusiasm and drive in organizing our five year reunions. Traveling abroad with Whipple and attending the numerous cocktail parties enabled me to discover her extensive knowledge of world affairs, culture and art. Whipple, you will be truely missed. To Todd and family we extend our most sincere prayers in this time of sadness.

OBITUARY

Whipple E. Steinkrauss

Passed away on JANUARY 30, 2009

Kane-Jerrett Funeral Homes

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services