Ciara Whitney Obituary
Ciara Jolie Whitney — daughter, sister, friend, gifted artist and talented photographer — died on Monday, March 28, 2016 at her family home in Douglassville, PA. She was 15 years old and a freshman at Daniel Boone High.
Friends were the foundation of Ciara's life. She loved her friends so much and they loved her.
She was loyal, considerate, and kind, and fun to be around. She loved her music and she found beauty in
everything from sunsets and rainbows to graffiti and tie dye.
Ciara was recently accepted into a digital photography program and worked at McDonalds, where she eventually hoped to save enough money to buy a digital camera.
But she struggled. She battled depression in ways we
didn't even know. Sadly, we couldn't battle it for her and she chose to end her life.
She is survived by her parents, Karen and Steve Whitney; her older brother, Zach; and her grandparents, Donald and Patricia Whitney; and Patricia Lechner, widow of John Lechner.
Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation
from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday, April 2 and a Memorial Service at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 3. Both will take place at Hopewell Community Church located at 1130 Commerce Drive, Pottstown, PA.
In lieu of flowers, contributions are appreciated. Please visit http://tinyurl.com/gofundme-cw or make checks
payable to: Daniel Boone Area School District (DBASD) in care of the Ciara Whitney Scholarship Fund:
DBASD, 2144 Weavertown Rd., Douglassville, PA 19518.
Dengler Funeral Home, Inc., Birdsboro, PA, is in charge of the arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Donna Speece
April 12, 2016
I am so very sorry for the loss of your beautiful daughter, Ciara. May God bless you and give you much needed strength. You are all in my prayers.
April 12, 2016
I am so very sorry for the loss of your beautiful daughter, Ciara. May God bless you and give you much needed strength. You are Ll in my prayers.
Sandy Jennings
April 6, 2016
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
julie umstead
April 4, 2016
Whitney family, my contact with Ciara in a professional manner was brief.But, i share your pain in that my daughter has depression & anxiety and chose to self medicate with heroin and other street drugs. I applaud your willingness to speak out even during your time of grief. It is only in sharing our pain that we will begin to remove the stigmas of depression, addiction and other diseases. I wish you the comfort that only the Holy Spirit can bring.
How you can show support
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Fellow Mom Dealing with Issues
April 4, 2016
Sorry about your loss. I to have a child who suffers from mental illness issues. She had been a student at Daniel Boone and may have had contact with Ciara in the past. I hope this opens the eyes of not only other parents but also of school facility to look for signs of students dealing with these type of issues and get more involved. My heart breaks for the whole family.
Craig Stoll
April 3, 2016
I am so sorry. The loss is unimaginable.
Kathy Green
April 3, 2016
Praying for you and your family.
Austin Crow
April 3, 2016
Whitney family: You do not know me and I do not know you,but I was moved by the Reading Eagle article to attend the memorial service at Hopewell. As a brother in Jesus I wanted to bear the grief with you. I came with this beautiful human Ciara known only as a total stranger. I left with her as a friend I never met. May the peace and consolation of Jesus surround you all.
Colleen and Mike Santore
April 3, 2016
Karen, Steve and Zach: Our hearts are broken along with yours. You are such a wonderful loving family. We are so sad to see you suffering.Ciara is now a beautiful angel in heaven. We are praying for you everyday and we love you all.
Alisha Tucker
April 2, 2016
Your family is in our thoughts & prayers. I can't imagine your pain & heartbreak. Hopefully she's free from all her pain & resting in the arms of Jesus. God bless you
Anne
April 2, 2016
I will keep all Ciara's loved ones in prayers, and thank you for sharing so much at this difficult time. Countless families will benefit, and may you find peace with your memories.
Your new guardian angel is watching over you, truly at Peace.
tiara hammes
April 2, 2016
I did not know Ciara very well I met in school like once or twice but I know if I got to know her more she would have felt like a sister to me.she was a super sweet girl I could tell from the moment I met her, she was not just my friend to me but when i met her she did feel like family to me like her big brother zach feels like family to me. I am so sorry for your loss Ciara will be missed.
April 2, 2016
I don't know you're family but I know what it's like when your child is in pain and I'm so sorry for your loss.
April 2, 2016
❤
anonymous
April 1, 2016
God Bless this family.
Thank you for sharing your story.
Bill
April 1, 2016
My prayers are with you and your family. Our daughter suffers with OCD and depression and is currently in a Residential Treatment Center. I can't imagine what you are going through. God Bless you and your family.
Doug Weaver
April 1, 2016
I am so sorry for your loss. Ciara was a joy to work with during her time on the DBMS track team. She will be greatly missed. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with her friends and family. May you find strength, comfort, hope and peace in the Love of God and the promises of new life for Ciara through Jesus.
April 1, 2016
Our heartfelt condolences to the entire Whitney family during this difficulta time.
The D'Elia Family
Ed Kosmerl
April 1, 2016
Steve - It has been a long time since we worked together in the City but at a time like this words fail me - but our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family - Ed & Bonnie Kosmerl
April 1, 2016
God bless your little angel.
The Sekela Family
April 1, 2016
Our family is praying for you during this difficult time. May you find peace in the wonderful memories you have of this beautiful young woman.
Lola Lynn
April 1, 2016
I did not know Ciara but I know depression. I am so sorry for your loss. Ciara is out of pain and is no longer chained to the darkness. Rest assured she is happy and will always be with you.
Wendy
April 1, 2016
My sincere sympathies to Ciara's family and friends. As a mother with a child that battles depression, my heart goes out to you all. RIP dear Ciara.
Wendy Elser
April 1, 2016
A very sad time for the entire Daniel Boone Community. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Whitney family at this time.
Showing 1 - 24 of 24 results
144 North Spruce Street, Birdsboro, PA 19508
Make a Donation
in Ciara Whitney's name
How to support Ciara's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Ciara Whitney's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
