Jennifer Elizabeth WHITTALL

WHITTALL, Jennifer Elizabeth
(nee Gibson)
October 23, 1958 – March 18, 2016
Peacefully in Vancouver with her beloved husband, Richard, at her side, after a defiant and courageous battle with ovarian cancer. Daughter to the late Pamela and Gordon Gibson, she will be deeply missed by her loving brothers Michael (Lisa Brown), Jamie (Jill) and their children, Eleanora, Emily, Jessica, Nicholas and Harrison. She will also be greatly missed by Richard's family, H. Richard Whittall, Pamela Whittall, Edwin, Madeleine, William and Chloe Beange, Virigina, Tristan and Vanessa Stark and Gerald Whittall. Jenny was born in Toronto and spent most of her childhood between her home on Hazleton Avenue and the family farm in Mono Township. After graduating from Havergal College, where she was the editor of the Ludemus yearbook, she followed her studies at Queen's University and the University of Toronto. Jenny started her professional career at Global TV, then went on to co-host CBC's popular "What's New?" and the influential TV Ontario book show "Imprint". While on assignment in Vancouver, Jenny met the love of her life, Richard. In July 1986, they married at Old St. John's Church, Mono Parish and spent a magical honeymoon on the Amalfi Coast. In 1990, Jenny embarked on a new adventure with Richard, moving first to Vancouver, then to Boundary Bay. Initially, Jenny continued her television career, but soon this gave way to her lifelong passion for art and horses. She had a love of beauty and an immense capacity for bringing love and warmth to everything she touched. Over the years, each and every painting she created expressed this sensibility. The great constant in her life was her unconditional love of her family, her horses, Chloe and Tory, and her dogs, Lucy and Henry. Despite many challenges over the past year, she never complained and made her energetic schedule seem effortless. She was a dear friend to many on both sides of the country. Her intelligence, charm, infectious enthusiasm and playful sense of humour will be remembered by all. The Whittall family is extremely grateful to Drs. Janine Davies, Andrea Cheung, Anna Tinker and the entire acute care team on the 5th floor the BC Cancer Agency for their tireless care for Jenny over the past year. In addition, many thanks for the compassionate care extended by Dr. Yeung and the palliative team of angels at VGH. A celebration of Jenny's life will be held at St. Mary's Kerrisdale Anglican Church in Vancouver on Tuesday, March 29 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the BC Cancer Foundation (Ovcare).