MaryEllen Whistance

MaryEllen Whistance, 96, Kingston, New York

MaryEllen Whistance born on October 7, 1918, in Davenport, Nebraska, died suddenly and peacefully on Sunday, April 12, 2015, in Kingston, NY. The daughter of Alfred and Ethel Uzzell, she moved to Queens, New York, as a young child. An antiquarian and equal rights advocate, she was a long time resident of Ulster County including the towns of Hurley and Ulster. She was predeceased by her husband of 63 years John (Jack) Whistance, sister Laneta Uzzell, journalist, who died in 1953, and daughter Sherry who died in infancy. Surviving are her son Bruce Whistance, daughter-in-law Gail Whistance, and twin grandsons Andrew and Bradley Whistance all of Kingston NY.

A graduate of Jamaica High School in Queens, NY, she went on to study fashion design and art history. As a young adult she was a competitive tango dancer and a team roller dance athlete. She enjoyed alpine skiing as early as the 1920s and swimming including high diving. As a homemaker, vegetable gardening and gourmet cooking were favorite activities.

While a partner for over fifty years in Jack & MaryEllen Antiques she was active in the Mid-Hudson League of Women Voters and a monitor of the court system in Ulster County. She was also a volunteer with Cerebral Palsy of Ulster County and a Cub Scout Den Mother in Hurley Pack 20.

A memorial service will be held at A. Carr & Son Funeral Home, 65 Lucas Ave. on Tuesday, April 21st at 7pm. The family will receive their friends on Tuesday from 5 - 7 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The League of Women Voters Education Fund, PO Box 3564, Kingston, NY 12402.
Please leave a condolence for the family at www.KeyserCarr.com