Edith Yvonne Whitmore was born on June 7, 1928 in Los Angeles, California to Edith and Cutler Schofield. When she was about 2 years old her family moved back to Spring City, Utah where she lived until college. She had a younger sister Patricia and a younger brother Robert, that were both born while the family lived in Spring City. She loved living in Spring City and was involved in many activities. She played the trombone, piano and loved sports and dancing. Her father, Cutler, was a star baseball player in the area and she was always there with him at practices and games. One time she asked her mother if she could be a boy as they had more fun playing sports. That didn’t last long when she started noticing boys.
She went to college, 2 years at Snow College and 2 years at Utah State majoring in PE. She taught dance and PE in Utah until she got married.
She married her eternal companion, Kay Rex Whitmore, on June 6, 1956 in Salt Lake City, Utah in the Salt Lake City temple. They moved east to Rochester, New York as Kay got a job at Eastman Kodak. This became their home and in the years that followed came their children: Richard, Kimberly, Michele, Cynthia, Suzanne and Scott.
Music was a big part of Yvonne’s life. Not only was she an accomplished pianist herself but she wanted all of her children to be involved in music as well. She wanted all of her children to learn to play the piano along with a second instrument. Needless to say there were a lot of musical performances to prepare for and attend.
Yvonne loved playing tennis and being active. She was a good bowler and was a coach for the girl’s church basketball and softball teams. She also enjoyed watching and attending any sporting events and especially loved when she had the chance to attend many of the Olympics with Kay.
Family and church were very important to her and a big part of her life. She loved to brag about her 6 children but mostly her 32 grandchildren. Before she died she had 37 great grandchildren and counting. She belonged to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and joyfully served two missions with Kay; one in London, England for three years and the other in San Diego, California for 18 months.
Yvonne also loved traveling and did a lot of it with her husband, children and grandchildren. She had a goal of traveling to every continent and she reached that goal. She was always looking forward to her next trip, and now she is on the trip of a lifetime. She passed away on November 11, 2024
Yvonne is preceded in death by her parents, sister and husband. She will be loved and missed by her brother Robert and her children, Richard (Evelyn) Whitmore, Kimberly (Stephen) Christensen, Michele (Jeffrey) Clark, Cynthia Lund, Suzanne (Cary) Jensen and Scott (Krystal) Whitmore.
Calling Hours Saturday November 23, 2024 from 9:30-10:30 at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 460 Kreag Road, Pittsford. Her service will promptly begin at 11AM. The service will also be livestreamed at https://zoom.us/j/98922730870.
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6 responses to “Whitmore, Yvonne S.”
I remember Yvonne teaching youth how to dance a jitterbug several times. Her skill on piano made her an ideal accompanist for choirs and musical numbers in church, including “Behold thy Handmaiden” when I was 14. I loved her sense of humor and sassy spirit, her devotion to Kay and her 6 children and their kids. She loved the Lord and served others willingly; she loved life and showed it. My love to all the Whitmore family.
The FHS Class of ’77 sends its deepest sympathies to our classmate, Kimberly, on the passing of her mother. We are so sorry for your loss. We will keep you and your family in our hearts.
The Workman family has many ties to the Whitmore family and are deeply saddened at Yvonne’s passing. She was an exceptional person and a lovely lady. She will be missed. We send our best wishes to the family.
I was one of Yvonne and Kay’s missionaries when they were the missions leaders in the England London South Mission. We all loved Sister Whitmore and President Whitmore very much because we knew how much they loved us. I later married the daughter of Rodney Allen who knew them as a youth in Rochester. The Whitmores were so kind and welcoming to the Allens when they joined the church in Rochester many years ago. Thank you Whitmores for the amazing people you are!
Yvonne was a very special lady. When Peter and I were investigating the church back in Pittsford, she played a big part in our conversion. She introduced me to Bruce R. McConkie
at the Hill Cumorah after a Sunday Service after the Pageant was over with. After we joined the church in 1978 Kay and Yvonne continued to play a big part in our lives. They even came to the Washington D.C. Temple with us on June 26, 1979 when we were sealed for time an all eternity. Peter passed away in April 2019. My sympathy to all the Whitmores at the loss of Yvonne. May God give you peace and comfort. Yvonne will be missed by many but the thought that she is with her beloved Kay is most comforting to me.
Michelle Suzanne, Jeff and Cary and family, I am so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. She was a very kind and wonderful lady. I know she will be missed. God bless all of you during this difficult time