Obituary of Louise M. Whitney

Mrs. Louise M. Whitney, 95, passed away on November 29, 2015 in Marin County, California. Born in Paterson in 1920 to Joseph and Marie Giuni, Mrs. Whitney graduated from Paterson High School and secretarial school in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and worked as an executive secretary for many years. She semi-retired while raising her children, returned to work when they entered college, and retired in 1970. She lived in Wycoff before moving to Colts Neck in 1960. She was a founding member, past president, and secretary of Colts Neck’s original Historical Society. She was instrumental in the restoration of the township’s last one-room schoolhouse, the Montrose School on Montrose Road. After title to the Montrose School was transferred to the township in an official ceremony, Mrs. Whitney continued to be an active member of the Colts Neck Historic Preservation Committee. She served on the committee until moving to California to live with her daughter, at which time she was made a Member Emeritus. Mrs. Lillian G. Burry, who created the Historic Preservation Committee almost 20 years ago, said "Throughout her decades in Colts Neck, she was active in all aspects of historic preservation and has left a lasting mark that will enhance the lives of residents and their understanding of local history for generations to come". Mrs. Whitney was a Girl Scout leader for many years. She taught sewing to 4-H Club members and chair caning with her husband Harry B. Whitney Sr. for the Monmouth County Extension Service. She was a member and officer of the Colts Neck Women’s Club, and Superintendent of Sunday School at the First Baptist Church of Freehold, where she was a member for 55 years. An avid doll collector, she was a member of the Monmouth County Doll Club. She organized and ran the annual Antique Show at Colts Neck’s Atlantic Township School for several years, and worked at the township and county election polls for over 45 years. Active with the Colts Neck Seniors, she was on the Board of Directors at the American Baptist Home in West Orange until 2012, when she moved to Fairfax to live with her daughter Susan and her family. In California, Mrs. Whitney remained active, attending church, playing bingo, and attending a Seniors Luncheon every Thursday at the San Geronimo Valley Cultural Center. Her husband Harry, who died in 1989, was an aeronautical engineer who worked on the Manhattan Project. The family lived in Los Alamos, New Mexico in the late 1940's and early 1950's. In Colts Neck, they lived in the converted original 1800’s barn that was once part of the historic Ryall estate on Route 537. Mrs. Whitney is survived by her daughter Susan L. Whitney-Fischer and her husband Brian, son Harry B. Whitney Jr. of Perrineville, NJ, grandchildren Whitney Camille Fischer of Sausalito, CA and Tristan Scott Whitney and his wife Breanne of Blair, NE. and great-grandson Elyas James Whitney. She is also survived by her long time companion and best friend for many years, Walter J. Karluk, of Freehold Township. A memorial service will be held at the First Baptist Church, 81 West Main Street, Freehold on May 14, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting dontations be made to the local humane society or an animal rescue organization of your choice.