Gertrude Whittaker

GERTRUDE "TRUDY" SPECK WHITTAKER, 95, died Tuesday, May 13 at her home surrounded by her loving family, care-givers and friends. Born July 11, 1917 in East Moline, Illinois to Emma and George Speck, Trudy was an only child. In spite of the hardships of the Great Depression, her parents sent their daughter to St. Catherine's College in St. Paul MN, where she graduated as a dietician. Trudy developed one of the first federally funded school lunch programs in the USA under Franklin Roosevelt's WPA. In 1945, she joined the US Army dietetic corps among the Army's first women commissioned officers. While stationed at 140th field hospital near London, England, Lieutenant Trudy Speck fell in love with a Lyman "Whit" Whittaker who preceded her in death. Trudy married the man she loved, September 14, 1946. Trudy and Whit settled into the Annapolis, MD area in 1958 where Whit became the administrator of the now Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC).Trudy worked many years as a realtor with the Meredith Agency of Annapolis. Most important to her was her family of four children who grew up at "Whit's End" in Epping Forest. Trudy and Whit were active in Marriage Encounter and Trudy was among the founders of the Eucharistic and hospital ministry of St. Mary's Catholic Church at AAMC and served for over 30 years. To Trudy, the greatest gift one could give to another was the gift of love with a smile and a laugh. She passed this to her family. Trudy is survived by her four children, 12 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren: Jeff Whittaker (whose wife Barbara Jones preceded Trudy's passing) resides in Raleigh, NC with Trudy's grandchildren Leigh and Shea (married to Katherine Veit); Steve Whittaker married to Jan Klupka, now living in Southampton, PA with grandchildren Sean (married to Katie McIlhinney) with great grandchild Caroline and Nora Whittaker-Jones (married to Walter Jones) with great grandchild Jimmy; Judy Arnold (married to Carl Arnold) residing outside of Houston TX, have six of Trudy's grandchildren: David and his three sons, Trevor, Kayden and Shane; Daniel (married to Miriam Hernandez) with great granddaughter Cheryl, Lorisa (married to Rick Vejphuyarn) with Trudy's great grandchildren Lana and Konner; Steven, Careth and Susanna with great granddaughter Ariya; and Trudy's youngest daughter Kathy Whittaker who still resides in Epping Forest with Trudy's grandchildren Mike (married to Laura Larson) and Kristen. A viewing will be held from 2-4 and 7-9 PM Sunday, May 19 at Taylor Funeral Home, 147 Duke of Gloucester St. in Annapolis, with Celebration of Life at 10:30 AM, Monday, May 20 at St. John Neumann, 620 North Bestgate Rd, Annapolis. Interment will be at 11:30 AM at Hillcrest Cemetery, Annapolis. A reception will follow with a Remembrance and Sharing Service at 2:00 PM at the Epping Forest Clubhouse, 354 Severn Rd, Epping Forest 21401. At Trudy's request please wear spring colors to the memorial services. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to on-line donations at their website or: Anne Arundel Medical Center; c/o Outpatient Infusion Center; AAMC Foundation; 2001 Medical Parkway; Sajak #550, Annapolis MD 21401. Hospice of the Chesapeake; Philanthropy Department; 445 Defense Highway; Annapolis, MD 21401. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.johnmtaylorfuneralhome.com.