Jennette F. Whitehurst

Jennette F. Whitehurst NORFOLK - Jennette F. "Janie" Whitehurst, 83, died at Harbor's Edge in Norfolk March 6, 2009. She was born in Boston, and was the daughter of the late William H. and Esther S. Franks. She is survived by her husband, G. William Whitehurst; a daughter, Frances (Mrs. Peter Clark); a son, Cal; two grandsons; and a great-grandson. Mrs. Whitehurst was raised in Plymouth, Mass., and attended the public schools there. In 1946, she received a B.A. in math from Wheaton College and that same year married her husband, a union that lasted for more than 62 years. Over her lifetime, she taught math at Old Dominion University and Norfolk Academy, in both the lower and upper schools. She also served as her husband's legislative assistant during his last years in the U.S. House of Representatives. Janie Whitehurst lived a life of service to others. She was a chairperson of the church council at Ghent United Methodist Church, a past president of the board of Lee's Friends and later an honorary board member, president of the board of Early Works Inc., founder and first president of the Friends of the Norfolk Juvenile Court Inc., founding president of the zoo, the Virginia Zoological Society, member of the Board of Trustees of Cape Henry Collegiate School, one of the founders of Harbor's Edge and a member of the Board of the Fort Norfolk Retirement Community. She was also a member of the Society of Mayflower Descendants and the Plymouth Antiquarian Society. While her husband was in Congress she wrote a book, "The Other Side of the House, a Cookbook and Survival Manual" in which she related her life as the wife of a congressman and shared her favorite recipes. The family wishes to express its thanks for Dr. Julie Damman's loving care and that of the nurses and physicians at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital and the nurses at Harbor's Edge. A memorial service will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. in Ghent United Methodist Church and a reception will follow at Harbor's Edge, One Colley Ave., Norfolk. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Ghent United Methodist Church Organ Fund, 531 Raleigh Ave., Norfolk, VA 23507 or to the G. William and Jennette F. Whitehurst History Scholarship at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529. H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Norfolk Chapel, is handling arrangements.