Wendy Whitney Obituary

Wendy Whitney, DNP

1950-2024

Millcreek, UT-Born Jan. 26, 1950 Died Aug.13, 2024

Wendy's life was exemplary for her love and kindness, dedication, and many accomplishments. Her loving family included John Paul Brophy, husband; Rachael MacLaughlin, daughter and Ruth MacLaughlin, daughter (deceased); siblings Loretta (James Anderson); James Whitney (Julie); Kate (Allan Nielson); Mary Valantine; Elizabeth (Michael Alvord); and many nieces, nephews, grand nieces, and grand nephews. She also embraced her adopted family next door -- Maris, Justin, Anderson, Adalayde, Elle, Walker, Madsen, and Jameson Scott. Predeceased by parents Roene and Fred Whitney.

Wendy's career included working and teaching at the Veteran's Administration Hospital, University of Utah Hospital, Intermountain Medical Center, and the Eastern Aleutian Tribes clinics. She also donated her service for humanitarian clinics in Kenya, China, Bolivia, and Indonesia over the years. Wendy was graduated with a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from St. Mary College and also holds a private pilot's license. She gave two years of loving, dependent care to her husband, John Paul, and was co-owner of the Dead Goat Saloon in Salt Lake City with him.

Wendy was proud to have resurrected sculling in Utah with her company Salt Lake Sculling, acquiring a Coaching Certificate from U.S. Rowing and providing instruction both through the U of U Lifelong Learning Program and privately, and competing annually in the Utah Summer Games. The group that she sold her business to after 16 years honored her with their annual competitive Wendy Whitney Cup.

Wendy's long interest in beekeeping was furthered with her Master Beekeeping Certificate from Cornell, and she was always glad to help anyone interested in the hobby. She had her mothers green thumb, garnering several blue ribbons over the years at the Utah State Fair for her beautiful dahlias.

Wendy truly was admired and loved by everyone fortunate enough to have made her acquaintance. She loved her daughters with all the love in her big heart. Her last hours after a long illness were spent peacefully and without pain with most of her family by her side.

She is deeply missed, far beyond words could ever tell.

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

Published by The Salt Lake Tribune, The Salt Lake Tribune from Sep. 17 to Sep. 19, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Wendy Whitney

15 Entries

Cheryl Banks

September 23, 2024

Wendy was such a kindhearted soul. She will always be part of my memories, fondly.

Jason Morton

September 23, 2024

My deepest sympathies to John Paul, Rachael, her friends and family. She also made the best cinnamon rolls the size of grapefruits too many to count!!

Mike Gorrell

September 22, 2024

Oh John Pul, I'm so sorry to read about your loss. No doubt she was a good woman. My thoughts are with you.

MARILYN LITTLE

September 22, 2024

Dear John, I dearly loved Wendy and spent many years teaching with her. Her love and dedication to others was simply amazing! She gave so much, not expecting anything in return. I know she loved you so much and always admired your strength and endurance with your physical challenges. I feel sad she is gone, taken too soon, but I am sure she is still nurturing and uplifting others and will be doing so thru eternity. May God bless you and Rachel, too!

Lori Anderson

September 21, 2024

I have known Wendy all her life. Our mother birthed her 11 months after my birth. Wendy displayed a keen mind even as a toddler. My mother told us when she had misplaced something Wendy often retrieved the lost item. Wendy is a great healer. As a child, she loved animals and cared for those hurt or in danger. Wendy had a "sixth sense" for many who needed help; whether emotional, physical and spiritual. Wendy used her great sense of humor as one of her healing tools. Because of her education and medical experience, Wendy was a great diagnostician and willingly gave accurate advice when I asked medical questions. She also saved lives with her medical knowledge and keen mind. Wendy beautified her surroundings with gardens of fruits, vegetables and flowers. Wendy´s teaching expertise included her nursing students, family and the beloved children of her neighborhood. She taught the children to bake, sew, garden, beekeeping, worm care, puppetry. She loved children and they loved her. If Wendy ever heard about something you were interested in or wanted learn as a career, she would send you books, supplies, video etc. She was always trying to help others succeed. Wendy exemplified George Eliot´s quote: "What do we live for if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?" I consider Wendy to be a renaissance women. She was scientist, pilot, biologist, horticulturalist, medal doctor of nursing, businesswoman, self learner, carpenter, sculling entrepreneur and loves and mother and spouse. Wendy´s self-built library shelves are full of hundreds of books of interests and subjects she pursued in life; she was a life- long learner. I know Wendy believed in her Father in Heaven and also Jesus Christ. She believed in life after death and that we are reunited with those we loved during this earthly existence. I think of you everyday and especially when I have to make decisions about being charitable and being generous. Wendy is the greatest humanitarian I have ever known. Wendy I look forward to seeing you again, you can tell me all the new things you have learned. I love you more than words can express. Lori

Toni Carter

September 21, 2024

Hi John, While I never really knew Wendy I know of your love for her. You paint her in the obit as an amazing woman, one of many talents. Hugs to you my friend!

Marsha Whatcott

September 20, 2024

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. Wendy was a wonderful, talented and caring woman. We loved her. She was always so kind and thoughtful. She was a hard worker. She would always honor those who had passed before her by decorating graves in Fillmore and Beaver every Memorial Day. She will be greatly missed by all. We send our deepest sympathy and love to her family. You are in our thoughts and prayers We know we will see Wendy again.

Dan Obradovich

September 20, 2024

I worked with Wendy for many years at the VA. She was one of the hardest working, most compassionate and caring persons I 've worked with in 30+ years of nursing. Not only did she take excellent care of patients, she also looked out for fellow employees. She also had dry and subtle sense of humor and played several practical jokes on me that still make me smile.

Anne Whitney Family

Planted Trees

Rita Kinnebrew

September 19, 2024

How I loved working with Wendy! She was such a beautiful woman who was so caring and giving to our veterans. I admired her as a nurse when I started at the VA in 1983 and was fortunate to work with her in her role as a DNP learning so much from her. A compassionate person and rare unicorn that we will only meet once in our lives. You will always live in my heart, dear sweet Wendy

Steven Brophy

September 19, 2024

John Paul,
I am so sorry to hear about Wendy's passing. I hope you find something to grasp to keep her memory alive forever. I know you will. You two are a great story and you're in my thoughts often. Be well and here's hoping I'll see you soon.

Gary Doyle Anderson

September 17, 2024

John Paul Lorna and I are so sorry for your loss. We have lost too many friends and family members recently. We are reminded to tell our loved ones how important they are to us. You have our sympathies.