Obituary of Richard & Madeleine Whittaker

WHITTAKER, RICHARD ELWOOD & MADELEINE GLYNN Madeleine joined her beloved husband, Richard (Dick), in heaven, February 7, 2014, after a brief illness. Richard had passed April 9, 2013, surrounded by his family. Madeleine was born in New York, New York, April 14, 1934, to Thomas and Madeline Glynn. She grew up with her sisters and brother in Rockville Centre, NY. She graduated from Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, Pa. After college she worked as a Research Chemist for Pfizer, where she met her future husband. Richard was born in Rockville Centre on June 21, 1927, grew up in Freeport, Long Island, the son of Raymond and Catherine Whittaker. He graduated from Pace University and served in the US Navy. Richard and Madeleine were married October 20, 1956 and have 5 children. When Richard took a job with Occidental Chemical Corporation the family moved to Williamsville, NY, returning to Long Island to visit family whenever possible. Madeleine attended SUNY Buffalo and received her Master's in Educational Psychology. She taught at Christ the King School in Snyder, New York. Upon Richard's retiring from Occidental, they moved to Miami, Florida where Richard engaged in a second career, and retired from Carnival Cruise Lines. Madeleine worked at Barry University establishing the protocol for the Division of Enrollment Services. A mass celebrating her contributions to the school and her many friends at the University was held on February 12, 2014. Richard's and Madeleine's family meant everything to them. They raised their children to respect and appreciate all points of view, to be curious about the world and to never stop learning. They invoked in their children the sense of civic responsibility they had inherited: Madeleine is the grandniece of former NYS Governor; Presidential Candidate and President of the Empire State Corporation, Alfred E. Smith and Richard is a direct descendent of Robert E. Morris, signer of the Declaration of Independence. They are survived by children: Kevin (Sally Kellner) of Mansfield, MA, Mary-Therese Dickson (Federico Fiorentini) of Hoboken, NJ, William of Orlando, Charles of Miami and Madeline (aka Muffie) of Doral, Florida; grandchildren Kelly and Andrew of South Boston, MA and Trevor and Dylan of Orlando, Florida. Additionally they are survived by sisters and brothers: Elizabeth G. Schmidt of North Merrick, NY, Maria G. Finn of Merrick, NY, Thomas A. Glynn (Eileen) of Rockville Centre, NY, Anne G (William) Terhune of San Antonio, Texas, Theresa G. (Arthur) Hudson of Norristown, PA, Ann Mary Whittaker Strieder of Rockville Centre, Edward (Margaret) Whittaker of Freeport and many, many nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews. They are pre-deceased by their parents: Thomas A. and Madeline Hearns Glynn, Raymond and Catherine Whittaker and brothers Raymond and Charles Whittaker.