Juanita Killy Whisenand, long time resident of La Jolla, wife of the late Dr. James M. Whisenand, died January 24th in Sonoma, California, where she had been lovingly looked after by her daughters. She was 86.
Juanita was born in Festus, Missouri, on June 10, 1923. She was the only child of Frederick Noel and Alberta Amanda Killy. She left Festus to go to the School of Nursing at St. Louis University, thus fulfilling her fondest wish of becoming a nurse. While in St. Louis, she met and married medical student, James Whisenand. They married after his sophomore year. It was war time and the programs were accelerated – no summers off. Mrs. Whisenand graduated and was asked to teach the Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat class to the Nursing students. She took great pride in her work and performed the job to her usual high standards.
After Dr. Whisenand finished medical school, they moved to Santa Monica, where he completed his internship. Following that, they moved to San Diego where he completed his residency while she worked for Dr. Prentiss.
Following the birth of her first child, she retired from her nursing career to devote herself to her family. Mrs. Whisenand was a devoted wife and a dedicated mother who also contributed greatly to her community. She was a high energy volunteer! She did everything from washing and ironing choir robes for the St. James by-the-Sea choir, to serving as President of the Scripps Hospital Auxiliary, President of the Board of the Gillespie Foundation, and President of the Parent's Council at the Bishop's School. She especially enjoyed being the one holding the gavel and bringing the Board meeting to order!
She was an accomplished needlepointer and knitter. She made exquisite and very complex traditional Irish knit sweaters for each of her children. She enjoyed traveling and reading. Her trip to Churchill, Canada, to see the polar bears was her favorite.
Survivors include her two daughters, Gretchen Whisenand of Sebastopol and Maurine Whisenand Solomonson of Sonoma; son, Dr. James M. Whisenand of Champaign, Illinois; and grandchildren, Brendan O'Donovan of Sonoma and Jessica and James Whisenand of Champaign, Illinois.
A Memorial service will be held at St. James by-the-Sea on Saturday, June 19, at 11 am. All who were close to her are invited to attend.
The family suggests donations to the San Diego Zoological Society.

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

Published by La Jolla Light (Online) from Jun. 2 to Jul. 2, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Juanita Whisenand

2 Entries

Kristina Starkey

June 8, 2010

I attended school with Gretchen in La Jolla and remember playing often at her home. I recently spoke with Juanita to thank her for her support of Francis Parker School. We talked about old times! Please accept my condolences for the entire family. She was a very special and caring lady. Kristina Starkey

June 4, 2010

Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Schmidt extend their sympathies to Juanita's family and friends. We continue to have fond memories of both Juanita and Jim (Dr. Whis...to his colleagues).

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