Jane Marvin Whitner

Birth date: Aug 29, 1935 Death date: Jan 3, 2017

Jane Marvin Whitner was born on August 29, 1935 in Oakland, California. Soon after her birth, it was discovered that she had cerebral palsy. As a young child, she was selected to be a member of a small group of children with cereb Read Obituary

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Kevin Dinkins

66w ago

I am sorry to come to this site so late after Janes passing. My family and I knew her for a very long time and there could not be a better example of grace and courage under difficult circumstances than was presented by Jane in her life. My mother Majorie was a cousin of Janes Mother, Alice, so by extension I was related to her as a 3rd cousin?. I completely agree while her body limited her in someways her mind took her places that many will never go in their lifetime, able or not. She was dedicated to learning and schooling and was always pushing her boundries on every front. She was dedicated and faithful to her church and it was her pastor who came to the service of my mother and read beautiful words and evoked wonderful memories in my time of grief. I was beyond grateful for Janes kindness during a very dark time for me. I will never forget it.

I don't know if her family still monitors this site but if they do I would like to send a personal message to them. If her sister Marian keeps track of this site or her sons, they would know my mother Marjorie. My name is Kevin and I would like to contact them if possible.

Thank you Jane for being an example of bravery for sure but more so your determination and showing the world your incredible will power. I know how important it was to have your place and you did exactly what you wanted to do until the end. I wont forget you. Kevin

Jen

441w ago

As I lie in bed reading 'Islamic Art and Architecture' I decided to look up the person whose name and address are stuck to the book my husband bought for me on EBay. Jane must have been a fascinating and educated woman based on what I have seen others post in this page dedicated to her and I surely know she must have been such a special lady. I feel honored to own this book that surely Jane has enjoyed and I hope to be like her (from what other people have said.) If you have known and loved her I am sorry for your loss.

Angela Tran

454w ago

On my way back from Seattle, I told myself, I needed to call you, I'll take you wherever you want, to church, to watch an opera, to go to the museum, wherever, even if i'm busy, i'll put it on hold. I wanted to ask you intimate questions about you, i wanted to know you more than you know me.Dear Jane Whitner: You watched me as I grow up, each week you saw my progress: from a little girl running around to old enough to help push you to pick up your cleaners and to the grocery store to finishing grade school and college, to making you look and feel beautiful, to strong enough to lift you and take you to astronomical dinner event, to church, art museum.You're a very loving, strong capable independent woman even til your lasting days, traits that I love and admire you for, but also became something i fear as you got older. Your stubbornness for help was something I could not understand. My heart ached for you. Though I am grateful you allowed yourself to enjoy your dependency with me these past years, allowed me to step in your zone and showed you unconditional love.You never surrendered to your adversity or let that be an excuse for anything. You were always well dressed and poised, a sign of respect for others. Always striving for knowledge, your continuous education surpassed many from history to astronomy to art…books covered your entire living room, leaving only one clear path way for your chair.The day i dropped you off and got you undressed and bid my good night, you told me, "i love you" and you smiled at me. I'll always remember that night. I hope you know i love you too. Know that when i am faced with difficulty or obstacles, i will think of you, and i will fight through my battles. i will be strong like you.Your thoughtfulness and love to our family is something i will never forget. I am sad to let you go, but I know you are in a better place. —

Patti White

455w ago

Jane has been a friend of ours for several decades. She was very intelligent, and she loved learning. She was thoughtful and asked good questions. She also loved Christ Episcopal Church, where she was an active parishioner. For about 20 years, my husband Ed White, drove Jane home from church once a month, until he had a stroke. We also drove Jane to a parish retreat at Bishop's Ranch in Healdsburg. She especially enjoyed courses about other religions when our church offered them; she supported interfaith activities She was in church on Christmas Eve.We too take Continuing Studies classes at Stanford, and Jane was often in one of our classes. She always enjoyed taking classes from Patrick Hunt, an archeologist and art historian.We and others at Christ Church Los Altos will certainly miss Jane.Patti and Ed White

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