Obituary: Whittaker, Joan Catherine

Age 92

Wed., May 27, 2015

WHITTAKER, Joan Catherine Joan Catherine Whittaker passed on May 24, 2015.

She was born on January 2, 1923 to Frank and Marie Blazek in Cleveland, OH.

After graduation from high school in 1940, Joan discovered roller skating, which became a lifelong passion.

Joan moved from Cleveland to Greeley, CO to continue competitive skating and won numerous medals in Regional and National competitions.

Joan also was a roller skating judge, traveling the U.S. judging.

From Greeley, Joan moved to Spokane where she met, while skating, Stanley Whittaker, her husband of 65 years.

She began teaching skating in the 60’s at Pattisons and later at Tiffany’s Skate Inn.

She continued to teach for over 25 years.

Joan also loved playing the Organ and Keyboard.

Joan is survived by husband, Stanley Whittaker; son, Dan (Barbara) Whittaker, daughters, Debbie Schuerman and Donna Fender.

She has seven grandkids: Lea Perez, Laura Miethe, Tricia Schuerman, Tara Whittaker, Matt Whittaker, Scott Lee and Sarah Lee and 13 great-grandkids.

Joan is preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Marie Blazek; sister, Bernice Helinski; and brothers, Norbert Blazek and Robert Blazek.

Funeral services will be held Friday, May 29, 2015, 2pm, at Hennessey Funeral Home, 2203 N. Division, Spokane.

Private burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Spokane.

Online condolences may be expressed at hennesseyfuneralhomes.com.

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