Elaine Whiting

Elaine Whiting, 71, of Akron, passed away December 11, 2020, after a three-year battle with colon cancer. Elaine loved life, her family and many friends; and gave every ounce of her strength to extend her life to be with them. She was born December 13, 1948 in Buckhannon, West Virginia to Donald E. and Emma Irene Whiting. Elaine’s father was an executive for LTV Steel and the family moved many times around the country, to various steel towns during her childhood. These moves exposed Elaine to different cultures and belief systems, and she remained open minded throughout her life about the differences that exist between people. This experience also taught her how to make friends easily.

The family’s last move was to Canton, Ohio, where Elaine finished her secondary education at Glenwood High School. She attended Kent State University from which she received a Masters of Arts Degree on August 30, 1975. She became a licensed professional clinical counselor and opened her own private counseling practice, which she maintained until her retirement in 2013. Elaine was dedicated to her clients and to helping them heal from the various traumas they had experienced in their lives. She felt tremendous pride in her life’s work. Elaine also worked for the Summit County Department of Job and Family Services as a contract administrator for the last ten years of her work life. She enjoyed working with various social service agencies, reviewing their program contracts and making sure they received what they needed to help the less fortunate in the Summit County community.

Elaine was smart, witty and very funny. She loved to “poke the bear” with her family and friends until we invariably had to tell her “Shut up Elaine!”. She liked to read books on spirituality, sailing, storms and people finding their center under difficult circumstances. Most of all Elaine loved her life with her partner/wife of 36 years Carol Dezso. Carol was smitten with Elaine the first time she saw her, and their love for one another only grew and deepened over time. They had great times camping, hiking, biking and sailing their 30-foot Catalina sailboat on Lake Erie. They took trips all over the United States and Canada, as well as cruises in Europe and the Caribbean. Their lives together were rich with joy. For the last weeks of Elaine’s life, they repeated to each other several times daily, “You are my heart.”

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents and her twin sister Ellen Dick. She is survived by her wife, Carol Dezso, her brother Donald E. Whiting, Jr. (Tonia), chosen sister Linda Hunt Johnson (Lewis) , mother-in-law, Irene Buckmaster, sister-in-law Marge Green, niece Tracy Ocepek (Steve), nephew David Green (Samantha), great-nephews Charles, Joel and Benjamin Ocepek, great-niece Evelyn Grace Ocepek, and her beloved tiger cats Clyde Joseph and Cooper Jon. She is also survived by many friends. Special thanks must be made to Elaine’s best friend Sue Tucker (Bob), who helped Elaine and Carol throughout Elaine’s illness, but especially in the last weeks of Elaine’s life. Sue was with Carol when Elaine drew her last breath. Thanks to 35 year friend Pat Sullivan who drove from Poughkeepsie, NY to Akron during the pandemic to say goodbye to Elaine. Thanks also to close friends the Reverend Terry Parker and his wife Sandy who by cell phone prayed with Elaine and Carol just before Elaine started hospice and gave them such comfort. Special thanks also to The Wildcats who constantly saw, texted, sent lovely cards or

phoned Elaine and Carol throughout Elaine’s illness, and who visited, prayed and provided love for Carol in hospice in the last week of Elaine’s life.

Carol would like to thank Oncologist Dr. Esther Remus for her steadfast care of Elaine during her illness. Thankful also to Oncologist Surgeon Dr. Anthony Visioni for using cutting edge practices to attempt to extend her life and make her more comfortable; and to the 5th floor nurses, (especially Kristine), at Cleveland Clinic Akron General Medical Center who gave Elaine outstanding care during her many hospitalizations. Carol would also like to thank the staff of the Cleveland Clinic Justin T. Rogers Hospice Center for their compassionate care of Elaine in the last week of her life.

No funeral will be held due to the Covid-19 pandemic. A celebration of her life will be held at the residence later in the year when the virus dissipates. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Akron Community Foundation Gay Endowment Fund.

Services in care of The Billow Funeral Homes and Crematory, Fairlawn Chapel 85 N. Miller Road, Akron, OH  44333.