It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Mary Louise Whittaker (Culbertson), who departed this world on November 13th, 2024, in Cincinnati, OH, at the age of 88. Born on July 11, 1936, in Barberton, OH, she was a devoted mother to her own family and a cherished “second mom” to countless others.
Mary received her Bachelor of Science and Education degree from Bowling Green State University in 1959. She was a member of the Alpha Phi sorority, and was chosen as the campus finalist for Queen of the Drake Relays. An early work adventure found her traveling with a friend by train to California where she was a telephone operator. Mary taught English and Spanish, was a law librarian and a bailiff/court officer for Wood County. Mary then spent 3 decades as the Senior Center Director at United Jewish Council of Greater Toledo.
Knowing Mary Lou, Mama Whitt, Cubby, Lou, Grandma Lou was to feel seen, heard, and cared for. Her home was a place of warmth, where anyone could find a listening ear, a comforting meal, and unconditional acceptance. She nurtured all those who crossed her path, creating a web of connections bound by love and support.
Mary Lou had a rare ability to make everyone feel like they belonged. She took in strays of all kinds, be it animals or people. Mom set an extra place or two at Thanksgiving and almost always, those places were filled. She was a fantastic cook, known for her Apple Pie and Oysters Rockefeller. She indulged her children’s passion for animals and the household was always bustling with cats, dogs, horses and the occasional snapping turtle. Whether you were family by blood or by heart, she embraced you fully and without hesitation.
Some of her passions included music and film. Mom would come home from a yard sale with one dollar albums and they would turn out to be incredible records. She turned us onto Graham Nash’s Songs for Beginners, John Dawson Reed, Martin Mull and Judy Henske. She was a concert enthusiast, whether it be Tom Waits back in the day, or The Avett Brothers in recent years. Her taste in films was eclectic and she loved showing us movies outside the norm, like Brother from Another Planet, or Repo Man. She found incredible joy in sharing her cultural finds with her family.
Traditions and fun outings were important to her. The night before Thanksgiving every year, all the grandkids would stay with her and make gingerbread and put up the Christmas tree. Often she would take the kids on overnight trips, staying in hotels and visiting museums or going to the theater. Every summer she would hire them as councilors at her Award Winning JCC Seniors camp, Camp L’Chiam. Grandma would house the cousins and reveled in hearing the conversation and laughter coming from the basement every night.
She leaves behind her children James Whittaker (Cathy), Jack C. Whittaker, Joan Whittaker (Jason), Betsy DeWitt (Dan), and her six grandchildren Jessica, Kelsey, Nick, Jacob, Grant, and Keri, and one great-grandson, Justin. Beyond her family, she will be deeply missed by all the “adopted” sons and daughters whose lives she touched so profoundly.
Her spirit will live on in the kindness, empathy, and laughter she inspired. She wanted us to remember the fun times most of all.
In keeping with her generous spirit, the family requests donations in her memory be made to Hospice of Cincinnati, to whom we owe our eternal gratitude.
Rest in peace, Mary Lou. You may be gone from our sight, but you will forever remain in the hearts of all who had the privilege to call you “Mom.”
