Marie Olesen Urbanski Whittaker

March 12, 1922 - October 24, 2016

Raleigh

Marie Whittaker, 94, feminist, scholar and liberal activist, passed away on Oct. 24 at her daughter's home in Raleigh. Her death was the latest in a series of uncommon successes, a final testament to her mental powers and indomitable will. She decided years ago that she would live to age 94. On Oct. 15, she announced that she was failing and would be dead in a month's time. Her daughters mistakenly believed she would live to see the election of our first female president. Glamour.com published a blog about her last wish. (http://www.glamour.com/story/the-last-thing-my-mother-did-before-she-died-was-vote-for-hillary-clinton)

Marie was born March 12, 1922 in Pittsburgh, PA, the middle daughter of Charles William Olesen, and Esther Mitchell Olesen, from Oxford, NC. She graduated from the University of Texas in 1944 and got her Ph.D. in American Literature from the University of Kentucky in 1973. A professor at University of Maine at Orono for over 20 years, Marie's scholarship focused on the contributions of Margaret Fuller, 19th century feminist and visionary. She later developed a close friendship with Fuller's great nephew, Buckminster Fuller. Marie published several books and many articles, including one of her favorites, about her feminist journey: "From Glamour Girl to Social Pariah."

She was married twice: to Dr. Edmund S. Urbanski and Joseph Boyd Whittaker. She is survived by her daughters,

Wanda Urbanska of Raleigh and Jane U. Robbins (Ed) of Great Falls, VA; two grandsons, Henry U. Levering of Los Angeles and Erik Robbins of Houston, TX, and nephews and niece, Scott Kelley, Charles Corbin, Peter Corbin, Mark Corbin & Carolyn Kelley.

A memorial service is planned for Nov. 20 at Trinity Episcopal Church in Mount Airy, NC. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Planned Parenthood, 100 S. Boylan Ave., Raleigh 27603, or the National Women's Hall of Fame, 76 Fall St, Seneca Falls, NY 13148.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The News and Observer on Oct. 30, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Marie Whittaker

Sponsored by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home & Crematory.

12 Entries

Wanda Urbanska

October 27, 2025

What can I say about the loss of this remarkable woman? Marie was my mother, the most important woman in my life. I miss her every day.

Martha Lamb

January 8, 2017

An animated activist has passed from the earth. With strong opinions and vibrancy,she made her way through life as a pioneer role model for her daughters. With no shortage of charisma, and as a champion of women's rights, she let her intellect and enthusiasm carry her into university life and beyond. I shall remember her frankness and wit, from a group in which we were both involved. While advanced in age and hard of hearing, she made it clear that SHE was in charge and would be no shrinking violet. She would take no backseat to her daughter, the appointed leader of the group. May Marie be fitted with hummingbird wings in heaven...

November 4, 2016

Memories abound in the thoughts and events of those now harvesting the fruits sown by Marie. She did prove herself predictable and, in many arenas, that can mean faithful. Psalms 62:11,12.

Machelle McCann

November 1, 2016

So very sad to hear of Marie's passing. She was always a hoot, and I loved how she kept me in line. I'll miss her colorful character and quick wit. Sending love for Wanda and Jane and all of the rest of those that loved her.

Suzanne Everhart

October 31, 2016

Wanda,
We are so very sorry about the loss of your dear mother. Both she and HRC have our votes. Dick and Suzy Everhart

October 31, 2016

Wanda,
So sorry to hear of your Mom's passing. She was a remarkable woman!
My Deepest Sympathy,
Janet Patterson

Linda Kunicki

October 31, 2016

Sorry about your mom. We voted for HRC yesterday as well both my mom (gone last year almost 94) and yours wanted to see her win. Working towards that goal.

Edmund Ursen

October 31, 2016

In commemoration of our Aunt, who unfortunately we had never met, we think that not the years of her life, but her life in these years were decisive!

Maria Biniasz, Bremen, Germany
Edmund Ursen, Hamburg, Germany

J Gilham

October 31, 2016

Thanks for the Glamour article. Sorry about your mother passing, but votes only count if you are alive on election day. I will be sure to let the local supervisor of elections in her area know of her passing, so that her ballot can be discarded. #KeepingTheElectionHonest

Karen Kemp

October 30, 2016

Wanda, Jane and family - We are sorry to hear of your mother's passing. Yet we are also happy to hear she did so on her own terms. You have given a wonderful tribute to a remarkable woman.
Warmly, Karen Kemp and Jeff Zimmer

jacquelyn macknight

October 28, 2016

Doing my best, to make your mommas last hope come true . My prayers for your family during this time of great loss.

Wanda Urbanska

October 27, 2016

http://www.glamour.com/story/the-last-thing-my-mother-did-before-she-died-was-vote-for-hillary-clinton

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