Emily Martha Sproul Whitteberry, 92, passed peacefully to be with Jesus on Jan. 19. She is now reunited with those who went before her: both parents; brothers, Robert, Frederick and Charles; two husbands Thomas J. Farr and James R. Whitteberry; and son, Thomas J. Farr III. She was born in South Bristol on March 17, 1922, the second born child and only daughter of Austin and Doris Sproul.
Emily went to Gorham Teachers College. Then she met a handsome Coast Guard, “coastie,” Thomas J. Farr Jr. In 1944 she and TJ were married and they moved to sunny southern California. She and TJ had two children, Pat and Tommy. In 1956, TJ was killed in a car accident.
In 1958 Emily met James Whitteberry. His beautiful voice and guitar playing won her heart and she and Jim were married. They had one daughter, Lori. In 1968 they left sunny California and moved to Minnesota. After many long and cold winters Jim passed away in 1998. Emily stayed in Minnesota and enjoyed visiting with her friends and lived a quiet life.
In 2002 Emily moved to Great Falls, Mont. to be near her daughter, Lori. Just before Emily’s 85th birthday Lori began to notice changes in Emily and she moved in with Lori. It was confirmed it was the onset of Alzheimer’s.
After six years of living with Lori, Emily went to be with her other daughter, Pat in Ohio. With the advancement of Alzheimer’s, Lori and Pat made the difficult decision to move their Mom into Brighton Gardens Assisted Living Facility. Pat went in every day to visit and see that she was well taken care of.
Emily traveled regularly and enjoyed friends and family throughout her life. She enjoyed going out in the boat in Maine, eating lobster, playing pinochle, square dancing and a good cup of coffee. She lived a full life. Her smile is what everyone mentions first when they share their memories of Emily.
She is survived by daughters, Pat and Lori; grandchildren, Brad, Sherry, Christine Lee, Justin, and Christine Keiko; and great-grandchildren, Austin, David, Kathryn, Heather, Rachel, Kyle, Maddie, and Lexi.
In lieu of gifts, donations may be sent in memory of Emily Whitteberry to Crossroads Hospice, 9775 Rockside Rd., Suite 270, Valleyview, OH 44125.
