Dorothy P. Whitehurst

Dorothy P. Whitehurst, 96, a resident of Virginia Beach, died on Friday, March 27, 2026.

Dorothy was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on March 9, 1930. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold S. Whitehurst. She was raised in Pennsylvania, and a graduate of Penn Hills High School and Westinghouse Business School. She was employed at the Westinghouse Corporaton in East Pittsburgh. After marrying Harold Whitehurst in 1955, she relocated to the Hampton Roads area and became an active member of the Virginia Beach community. She served as Secretary to the Commanding Officer of the Oceana Naval Air Station.

Giving back to her community was an integral part of Dorothy's life. She volunteered for over 25 years at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital, where she also served on the Auxiliary Board as chairperson for the Scholarship Committee for 12 years. She enjoyed donating her time by reading to the students of Linkhorn Park and Alanton Elementary Schools for several years. Dorothy was also a long standing member of the Alanton Garden Club.

She is survived by her daughters, Ellen Ashurkoff and Diane Whitehurst, son-in-law Stephen Ashurkoff and three granddaughters Marina Ashurkoff, Savannah Draper and Phoebe Draper. She is also survived by family in Pennsylvania, including siblings Laura Cindric, James Potlas, and Marylou Potlas Brosky, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Contributions in her memory may be made to Reach Out and Read Virginia at reachoutandread.org.