Marian Whitehill

Marian Elizabeth Jenkins Whitehill was born on April 15, 1925 in Aliquippa, PA. She died in Greenville, SC on July 30, 2021. She was the daughter of William Samuel and Ruth McGarvey Jenkins. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Robert Buchanan (Bob) Whitehill and by her brother, William Evan (Bill) Jenkins.

Following the death of her father, Marian was raised by her mother and grandmother, Marian Elizabeth McGarvey (“Nannie”). She had many lifelong friends. She had happy memories of walking to school, playing outside, and going to parties and football games. She graduated from Aliquippa High School and secretarial school in Pittsburg.

Marian and Bob were married on May 21, 1949. They made their homes in Aliquippa, PA, Massillon, OH, and Winter Park and Longwood, FL. Wherever they lived, they enjoyed their many friends. They loved hosting dinner parties and organizing trips to football games and golf weekends. Marian’s good cooking always made guests feel welcome. Bob enjoyed his career in banking. Marian worked at the Central Florida Museum and Planetarium and for State Farm Insurance.

Marian was loved and supported by her family and friends after Bob’s death in 1986. In 1997 she moved to Greenville, SC to be closer to her family. She enjoyed spending time with her six grandchildren: playing games; attending their sports, music, and school events; and cooking their favorite foods. She was so proud of all of them! She had fun dressing up and dancing at all of their weddings. The births of her great grandchildren brought her great joy. She kept in contact with many old friends, but she made many new friends, too. Line dancing was her favorite activity, but shopping, concerts, plays, and church events also kept her busy. She continued to stay active when she moved to Rolling Green Village in 2017.

Marian is survived by her daughter Cathy Ann Whitehill Grills (Pat) of Greenville, SC; son Dean Robert Whitehill (Lynn), of Mooresville, NC; her grandchildren Mary Grills Fulmer (Shawn), Jane Grills Smith (Cory), Claire Whitehill Griffin (James), Robert Whitehill (Catherine), David Whitehill (Stephanie), and Joseph Whitehill (Kelsey); and her great grandchildren Gracie Fulmer, Jack and Harry Smith, James and Jack Griffin, Sam and Miles Whitehill, and Lila and William Whitehill.

Marian’s family is grateful for the support and kindness of the pastors and members of Westminster Presbyterian Church, the staff and residents of Rolling Green Village, the Home Helpers, and Pathway Hospice.

Marian will be laid to rest in Winter Park, FL. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 14th at 11:00 AM at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2310 Augusta St., Greenville, SC, 29605. We strongly encourage all attendees to wear a mask during the service. The service will also be available by livestream at www.wpc-online.org/live-stream-worship.

Memorials may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church (www.wpc-online.org) or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org).

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