BANGOR – Abbie J. Whitney, 84, wife of the late Philip Whitney, went home to be with the Lord April 2, 2010, after a sudden illness, at a Bangor hospital. She was born Jan. 9, 1926, in Bangor, the daughter of Carl C. and Helen A. (Giggey) White. Abbie was a lifelong resident of Bangor and a graduate of Bangor High School, Class of 1944. Abbie worked in the shoe industry for many years and was the first women to work in management at her company. She also worked as a seamstress for many years. Abbie had volunteered her time for multiple functions associated with the Salvation Army, such as their Christmas program and soup kitchen. Abbie had enjoyed bowling since she was young and she continued to play in leagues for 64 years. As a young parent, Abbie would take one child each week to go bowling – a memory her children still carry with them. In her later years, Abbie also took pleasure in playing cards with friends, and singing and dancing for charity through the YWCA. Surviving are two daughters, Barbara Cleveland and Jane Whitney, both of Bangor; 10 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; three sisters, Wenda Pelkey of Bangor, Demarus Sullivan of Bangor and Izeldia Tapley of Medway; and two brothers, Carl White of Levant and Robert White of Brunswick. She was predeceased by her husband, Philip, in 2000; three children, William and Philip Whitney, and Linda Hatfield; and four brothers. Family and friends may visit 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at Greenlawn Memorial Funeral Home, 300 State St., Bangor, where a service honoring her life will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday with Major William Pingrey, of the Salvation Army, presiding. Burial will be immediately after the service at Mount Hope Cemetery, Bangor. Friends and family are invited back to Abbie’s lifelong home for an opportunity to gather and reminisce in celebration of Abbie’s life. For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to Salvation Army, 65 South Park St., Bangor, ME 04401.
ABBIE J. WHITNEY
