Marion Elizabeth Whitener
1940-2016
Marion Elizabeth Whitener, lovingly known as “Mummy” and “Nana”, was born on January 6, 1940 in Melbourne, Australia and went to the after life on October 19, 2016. Mummy grew up in Melbourne and attended school there. She attended a dance at Heidelberg Town Hall in Melbourne, where she met her first husband, Dr. Ronald R. Hope. Together, they had four children. The family moved to the United States in the 70’s, after several stops in multiple countries, first living in Miami, Fl and later moving to Oklahoma City. Marion held several administrative assistant roles, but loved working for the Lord the most and worked for years as a church secretary. She was fluent in Italian, an accomplished ballroom dancer and loved to teach. She was a long term choir member and gifted pianist playing the piano and the organ for many years. She had a passion for sewing and embroidery and learned how to digitize to enhance her sewing passion.
After her first marriage ended, she met and fell in love with Donald R. “Dutch” Whitener. They married in 1982 and lived in Ninnekah and Edmond, Oklahoma. Marion and Don enjoyed raising their children, traveling, supporting missions and their church. They were long standing members of the Spring Creek Assembly of God Church in Edmond. Marion was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis which caused her many difficulties but she remained stedfast in her desire to maintain her life as normal as possible. As a complication of MS, she contracted pneumonia and died in the presence of her children, with the Lord at last.
Marion was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Don and grandson, JT Turner. Marion is survived by her sisters, Gwendolyn Shaw and Yvonne Towse, and brother Owen Seamons, all of Australia, her children, Donnita and Jon Woodward of Columbia, MO, Nova & Randy VanScyoc of Hayesville, KS, James Hope of Melbourne, Australia, Cathy and Jeff Cruzan of Edmond, and Nick and Kabra Hope of Luther, OK. Roanne and Steve Foral of Edmond. Marion is survived by 19 grandchildren, Benjamin, Daniel Martin & Jordan Ecklund, Mitchell, Toby and Jonah Hope, Trenton Turner, Tristan, Thomas, and Tadan Cruzan, Jacob and Alec Lamb, Cameron, Caleb and Carleigh Foral, Zack, Nicole, and Chase Hope, and Tara Smith, and 4 great grandchildren, Ethan, Blake, Alyson Smith and Ethan Martin.
The family thanks Reverend McCaslin and Pastor Bob Walker of Spring Creek and her many friends for their love and support. Also, the staff at Brookdale Senior Living Center, her many caretakers, the staff at INTEGRIS Baptist ED and hospital, Drs. Elliott and Dr. Britt.
Visitation will be at Matthews Funeral Home Friday October 21st, 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Funeral Services will be 10:00 AM, Saturday October 22nd, at Spring Creek Assembly of God, with burial to follow at Ninnekah Cemetery.