Isabelle R. Whitney

Dearest Belle,

I came into your life rather late in the game, but you welcomed me with open arms. I remember that wonderful day when I first arrived at your beautiful home in Florida with Patti. You made me feel like one of the family from day one. How many meals ...and drinks, yes drinks, did we enjoy at Jesse's? And what fun it was, when Patti turned on the radio in the car as we drove, to see you dancing

Dearest Belle,

I came into your life rather late in the game, but you welcomed me with open arms. I remember that wonderful day when I first arrived at your beautiful home in Florida with Patti. You made me feel like one of the family from day one. How many meals ...and drinks, yes drinks, did we enjoy at Jesse's? And what fun it was, when Patti turned on the radio in the car as we drove, to see you dancing in the passenger's seat, as your hands and feet kept in time to the music! And all the many trips to the hairdresser on Thursdays!!

I was there when you left Florida and when you arrived at Heights Crossing in Massachusetts. From then on...I was your "adopted daughter"...whether you liked it or not! You, Patti and I spent many lovely days sitting out on the porch in the wicker chairs enjoying the sun and the breeze. It was my privilige to manicure your nails every time we would visit. I think you looked forward to it! And how you would laugh when I would fix the curtains in your room, that you loved and adored, because it would drive me crazy if they weren't just right! And, of course, there was the mirror...oh that mirror..the one next to the elevator, that I would constantly ask you "Belle, can I have that mirror" and you would always say "yes, take it, I want you to have it."

Then it came time for you to move to Braemoor. You embraced it like a champ...and we made it look like home. When it came to the end...it was an honor to sit there with Patti and hold your hand when you died. You see, I remember it all...every last wonderful loving moment we shared together.
I loved you, my sweet Belle and I will remember you always with a smile. Not just as my best friend's mother, but as the woman who treated me like I was her own!

Godspeed Belle Whitney!
love,
Regina

PATTI,
I JUST WENT ONLINE AND SAW IMMEDIATELY THAT IT WAS YOUR MOM..I DON'T KNOW THAT I EVER KNEW HER NAME.
MY HEART AND SINCEREST SYMPATHIES ARE WITH YOU AND BARBARA AND ALL OF YOUR FAMILY.
WE WILL SPEAK WHEN YOU ARE BACK AND I CAN GIVE YOU A PROPER HUG.
LOVE,
RONNIE

On behalf of my sister Barbara and myself, and our two families, I thank all of you for coming today to say good-bye to our "mum".
It isn't possible to sum up in a few minutes 91 years of a woman's life but to say that she lived it with love and grace would be a great start. She was a devoted daughter to nanny, a loving sister to her brother's Jim and Bob, a loving wife to her Wally, and

On behalf of my sister Barbara and myself, and our two families, I thank all of you for coming today to say good-bye to our "mum".
It isn't possible to sum up in a few minutes 91 years of a woman's life but to say that she lived it with love and grace would be a great start. She was a devoted daughter to nanny, a loving sister to her brother's Jim and Bob, a loving wife to her Wally, and a wonderful mum to Barbara and me. She was a fabulous "grammie" to her grandchildren Keith, Kerrie, and David, and ...as fate would have it...she became "gramma Belle" to three more granddaughters Gail, Missy, and Colleen. Great gramma Belle to Kyle, Kassie, Korey, Brooke, James, Ryan, Lacy, Melanie, Jackie, Michelle, and Nick, and...believe it or not...7 great-great grandchildren! And one of her other most cherished roles was that of "Auntie Belle". That is quite a legacy!!
She was always lovely and always happy! Barbara and I always said she was the only person we knew who would sing out loud while cleaning a kitchen floor. When she was a waitress at Eileen Darlings, she was the greatest one they ever had. When she worked at East Providence High School as the lunch lady, she was adorable...as all my friends and teachers would tell me. She knew when I failed a test before I did...not so good! She loved life...her beautiful house on Hilltop Road in Rhode Island and the house on Sally Lane in Cape Cod was always the center of many wonderul parites and holidays.
When she and my dad retired, and went to Sun City Center in Florida, the second phase of their life began. He played golf (she could never master that but she could dance)...and dance she did! Right up to becoming the teacher. She loved it!! Daddy said "I used to be Wally Whitney, now I'm Belle Whiteny's husband!"
When Barbara and I had to move her out of Florida, because she could no longer be there alone, she took the news as she always did...with charm and grace! We were so grateful.
She came up here to Massachusetts to Heights Crossing, and made her mark as she had all of her life. Everyone would say "your mother is so nice, she is so sweet, she is so beautiful"...things we have heard all of our lives. 4 years we have had the privilege of helping her to the end of her life...hearing people say the most wonderful, loving things about her.
We have since realized that the lesson of living to 91 was not so much for her, but for all of us who were lucky enough to be part of her journey!
Yesterday the lovely girl from hospice called to give me her condolences and told me she will never go to Braemoor, the nursing home, again without thinking fo Belle. She made her mark there as she did everywhere.
I had the honor of holding her in my arms as she dies, and I will cherish the momemt for the rest of my life, as I will cherish her. My sister Barbara and I will always be proud of being her daughters.
As a famous person said ..."earth...prepare yourself for an honored soul"

This was the eulogy I gave at my mum's funeral.

Auntie Belle:

I have spent the last few days flooded in memories of a very special woman, you, my Auntie Belle. I have cried, I have smiled and I have laughed as I relished each one. You were more than an Aunt to me, you were my "stand-in" Mom. You nurtured me the first three months of my life; you dressed me in my first prom gown; you bought me my high school class ring; you taught me to drive; and

Auntie Belle:

I have spent the last few days flooded in memories of a very special woman, you, my Auntie Belle. I have cried, I have smiled and I have laughed as I relished each one. You were more than an Aunt to me, you were my "stand-in" Mom. You nurtured me the first three months of my life; you dressed me in my first prom gown; you bought me my high school class ring; you taught me to drive; and most importantly, you loved me my entire life.

Your love of Christimas inspires me and I am so grateful to have been able to share so many with you, from Nannie's on Sutton Avenue, to your houses in EP and on the Cape, to your homes in Florida. But most special are the last few we shared at the Heights. Thank you.

I will miss you always and cherish all our memories. I feel privileged to have had you in my life and to have been "My Debbi" to you. Thank you for all that you gave to me.

Love, Debbi

Auntie Belle was kind and generous to me my whole life. She and uncle.
Wally were warm hosts at the holidays and all year long! They would come
To Prov to take us skiing on their boat, they were so thoughtful in so many ways! I will always be grateful to them for those speciial memories!
So rest in peace dear Auntie Belle ,as you will be in the hearts of.
MANY including myself for ever and ever!! Love always,
Your nephew.
Steven G Muir

Some of my most vivid memories as a small child were when auntie belle took me with her to the bank and to the market. I always looked toward to it. You will be truly missed. I love you Auntie belle

Auntie, Belle,
The "dancing queen" who was one special lady, who will be truly missed. You always made everyone feel welcome, and happy to be with you. I will never forget visiting you and Uncle Wally in Cape Cod and waking up in the morning as you were singing to the birds. I bet those Cape Cod birds miss you too

I Love you,
Joyce