Mary A. (Pettipas) Whitaker, 95, longtime resident of Beverly, passed away on October 19, 2024, at Care One Essex Park. She was born in Pittsburgh, PA on September 19, 1929, to her late parents J. Arthur and Vira (Harman) Pettipas. At the age of seven her parents moved to Beverly where she was raised and educated, graduating from Beverly High School with the Class of 1947.
Mary met her husband, G. Richard when he returned from WWII and resumed his high school education. They married on December 2, 1949. Soon after that they purchased some land in North Beverly and began building the home in which they raised their family. Mary resided in the home they built together until 1999.
After high school Mary worked at the Beverly National Bank, resigning when her first child was born. Once her children were settled in school she began a decades long career as the shipping supervisor for Johhny Appleseeds until her retirement.
Mary always liked to keep herself busy. She loved knitting, crafting and sewing among other things. She could do almost anything with a sewing machine including making draperies and reupholstering furniture. She had even taken up the art of braiding rugs for a time. There was also a sporty side to Mary which included interests in skiing, snowmobiling, water skiing and golf. Her love of dachshunds resulted in her raising 5 of them during her lifetime. As a woman of faith, she was a longtime member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Beverly.
As the beloved matriarch of her family Mary is survived by two children, her son, Richard H. Whitaker and his wife Karen, of Danvers, and her daughter, Cynthia J. Dodge and her husband William of Manchester-by-the-Sea. She is also the proud grandmother to her four grandchildren, Richard Whitaker Jr., Courtney Whitaker, Ben Dodge and Abbey Durkin and great-grandmother to her 9 great-grandchildren. Mary is also survived by her brother, James A. Pettipas of Novato, CA and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Gordon Richard Whitaker, with whom she celebrated 50 years of marriage together.
Funeral: To honor Mary’s wishes all services were privately held. Contributions in Mary’s memory can be made either to the American Heart Association, 93 Worcester St., Wellesley, MA 02481 (online at www.heart.org) or to the Shriners Children’s Hospital, 51 Blossom Street, Boston, MA 02114 (online at www.shrinerschildrens.org). Arrangements under the direction of the Campbell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot Street, Beverly, MA 01915. Condolences, information and directions at www.campbellfuneral.com.
