Whitney Roberson

The Rev. Whitney W. Roberson

A beloved priest, family minister and mother, the Rev. Whitney Roberson died on January 24 after a battle with cancer. She was 66. 

Whitney was born on April 26, 1947 in Glendale, Ohio, the daughter of Norman and Evelyn Wherrett.  The family moved to San Mateo in 1961.  Whitney attended Hillsdale High School (Class of 1965) and graduated from Duke University in 1969.  She returned to the Bay Area soon after to begin a master's degree at San Francisco State University in childhood psychology and development.  She also started a family, as well as what would become a lifelong career serving families and children as an educator and ordained minister.

As a priest in the Episcopal Diocese of California, Whitney served at Church of the Epiphany in San Carlos, St. Bede's Episcopal Church in Menlo Park, Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, Church of the Redeemer in San Rafael, and St. Aidan's Episcopal Church in Bolinas.  Her work in all of these parishes focused on opening the doors of the church to children and families. She developed Sunday School programs, spearheaded children's services, led youth groups and confirmation classes, and supported the adults in the parish in a way that connected each generation to the other. When not working tirelessly to draw families into the church, Whitney led women's retreats and developed a ministry to workers in San Francisco's financial district.  Her warmth, hospitality and passion for justice permeated her ministry. Always eager to share her love of learning with others, she is remembered for her intellectual curiosity, deep faith and loving acceptance of all she encountered.

Whitney is survived by her daughters Rachel Roberson, Rebecca Turett and Sarah Hanlon; her grandsons, Adam Hanlon, Peter Hanlon and Bryson Turrett; her brother Norman Wherrett; and her cousin Robert Gray. 

A requiem service will be held at Grace Cathedral at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014.