Evelyn Whiting Brunswick
Evelyn Whiting Brunswick...A Light to the World ...she was welcomed home by a chorus of angels, for the sweet smell of heaven will leave a lasting memory for all to cherish. For all of you who knew our Mother, Evelyn Whiting Brunswick, she was a woman of grace. Her smile, her love and unconditional kindness touched so many lives. Mom had a caring sense which came from her heart, for she shared God's love to all. In the early morning hours of August 18th, Mom was welcomed home by our Lord Jesus Christ to the sweet fragrance of Heaven. She was surrounded with family and friends sharing joy and happiness for 95 wonderful years. Mom lived in Phoenix, Arizona with her daughter Kathryn Scott and her loving husband Mark Scott for her final year. Their house was filled with little ones, with Mother leaving her touch of grace for all to cherish and understand. In her final year, the littlest of great-grandchildren were always welcomed to her lap, cradled in her arms, or given a ride on her walker. Archer and Riser Scott, Koa Shaughnessy, and Ella Rose Wennet, she watched them grow, she embraced childhood with them. Ever present at Mom's side was her faithful puppy companion, "Li...[more]View Full Online Obituary and Tributes
" waiting for cart rides, snuggles and treats. A full life she embraced, born Evelyn Marie Culver, February 12, 1925, in Clovis, California, the daughter of Elma Augusta Jonsson and Albert Allie Culver. Mother spent her youth growing up in the small rural California town of Terra Bella. The quietness of her rural environment was shaken with the outbreak of World War 2. Her older brother Earl enlisted in the Navy. Mother answered the same call to serve our country, upon her graduation from high school, enlisting in the Cadet Nursing Corps, September 1943. Her training would take this young country girl to San Francisco, training at St Francis School of Nursing. She toiled at her studies for the next three years, knowing full well upon graduation she would be ready to serve our country. In the midst of War, this young country girl from Terra Bella took time to go out with her friends to the local USO club for an evening of fun. "Evelyn, this is the young man Richard we spoke, he is stationed at Alameda serving aboard the carrier, USS Copahee, his parents live here in San Francisco..." Whether it was "love at first sight" or a "cupid's arrow" Mr. and Mrs. Albert Culver announced the marriage proposal of their daughter Evelyn Marie to Richard Nathanial Whiting in July of 1945. Their marriage was ordained by God, November 9, 1946 in the small Terra Bella Presbyterian Church. Putting roots down in Central California, the sleepy foothills and countryside of Orange Cove and Navelencia, Mom and Dad consummated their marriage with the birth of three children, Roger, Richard and Kathryn. Mom knew our lives were not complete without God's presence in our hearts. Dad carrying little Kathryn, along with Roger and Richard, all knelt before the presence of God at the little Ebenezer Lutheran Church to accept Christ into our lives through Holy Baptism. Dad was a chicken rancher, so life out in the country, on a chicken ranch in Navelencia, meant a commute everyday to the little town of Reedley to serve as Dr. Habeggar's nurse for 23 years. Family memories of Mom's favorite excursions such as Sunday picnics in the Sierras of General Grant Grove, swimming in the ice-cold Huntington Lake and even summer weekends clam digging at Pismo Beach provided a fun getaway and treasured keepsake memories. We can say that our childhood experiences of country life on the ranch had a profound impact, but our parents' love for each other and for us greatly influenced our identities. Mom married to Dad for 23 years, and only 42 years old, would face a life-changing tragedy that struck our young lives at the sudden passing of our Dad, March 1968. Mom, steadfast in faith, maintained her parent journey, sold the ranch and moved to Reedley to better provide for us. Through the years Mom's love, kindness, nurturing independence, decision making, and model work ethic shepherded us, as well as her grandkids through to adulthood. She gifted us a living legacy of preparation, happiness of a fulfilled life and the reassuring promise of Christ's Resurrection. Mom always looked forward to her numerous trips to Hawaii to be a part of the milestones of Aaron, Keri, Kristopher and Leah's lives; their births, their first baby luau celebrations, their weddings and later her great grandkids. Her grandkids no matter how close or far always knew her love. She also served in many capacities on church council and women's leadership at Christ Lutheran Church. Mom served as the professional development nurse at Sierra View Retirement Community for many years and later was welcomed as a special resident for 4 years, 2015-2019. In the Spring of 1998, Mom answered the phone one afternoon, "Hello, this is Mick Brunswick your neighbor, would you like to go dinner with me at the Elks?" "Yes, I'd love to." Mom's life changed overnight, she found her heart was willing to love again, as her smile widened to share her commitment to Mick. Receiving our blessing, Mom and Mick were married November 1999. Mom was overjoyed at the expansion of her family to now include step-daughters and their families, Terrie and Marshall Sorenson (children: Sari, Jenny and Eric) Cindy and Jim Tejirian (son Nick). Mom always had an adventurous spirit and enjoyed pastimes with Mick that included trips to Lake Almanor, fishing, driving their boat, learning Polish customs such as polka, perogies and sausage making. It brought her great happiness when Mick became a member of Christ Lutheran Church. With Mick's death in July, 2019, 20 years of marriage, Mom's life took a turn east to Arizona. In August, upon Mick's passing, Mark called Mom with open arms and the invitation to come live with them in Arizona. Kathryn knew what it was like to grow up without the lasting memories of a parent but knew how her life was greatly impacted by the presence of her Nana Culver. "I want my children to grow up experiencing the personal love and knowledge that a Grandmother has to share." Mom embraced Arizona and the awakening life it gave her. She enjoyed the freedom of taking her walker outside to "walk laps around the pool" in the yard for exercise. She especially enjoyed her numerous trips to Flagstaff to experience the invigorating cool mountain air and peaceful pines. She loved it when friends and family would come for lunch or visits so she could catch up on their lives.She loved watching the quail on the lawn and always let us know when the hummingbird feeder was running low. She was a reader, loved football and an avid Oakland Raider fan. She was masterful at Word Search and devoured them weekly. She was our family flannel baby blanket maker! Most importantly, she was our Mother, Grandma Evelyn our GiGi and she breathed in the love that surrounded her by the presence of all of her children and grandchildren. Kathryn and Mark, grandchildren and great grandchildren surrounded Mom until the end; the sweet smell of roses Heaven sent will be her lasting memory, assuring us one final time "I am home with God." Mother bestowed her many blessings to all family and friends. She touched the lives of many people instilling hope and she demonstrated her faithful service to God on a daily basis. She leaves many joyful memories of loving kindness and generosity to her children, Kathryn Whiting Scott, and husband Mark of Phoenix, Arizona; son Roger Whiting and wife Rebecca of Mill Valley California; and son Richard Whiting of Tualatin, Oregon. Grandchildren, Loren Scott and his wife Juliana of Phoenix, Arizona; Alexa Scott Wennet and her husband, Tyler of Phoenix, Arizona, Aaron Whiting and wife Eileen of Mt. Green, Utah; Keri Whiting Blas and husband Ronald of Kailua- Kona, Hawaii; Kris Whiting of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii; and Leah Whiting Shaughnessy and her husband Logan of Phoenix, Arizona; Great-Grandchildren, Archer and Riser Scott; Ella Rose Wennet; Koa Shaughnessy; Neil Whiting; Kyanah, Ke'ale and Kalei Blas. Mom was always a light to the world. In joyful celebration, let us share her loving kindness and smile with one another. May the Light that illuminated our lives, serve to light the way for others, the gift of Christ within us. A celebration of remembrance, a celebration of Mom's faith will be held at La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church, Friday, October 16, 10:00 am. Service only, social distancing, masks, no reception. Mom's final resting place will be in Reedley, California. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, Love to the Rescue effort https://donate.lovetotherescue.org/give/119312/#!/donation/checkout
