Esther Whittingham

Esther Louise Whittingham was born January 27, 1947 in Bronx, New York, the eldest of four children to second-generation West Indian immigrants. Her parents believed in the power of prayer, and instilled in her the importance of living a life of service. This began early, learning to cook to help her parents while they cared for her 2 disabled siblings, and even donating some of her own clothing for missionary children in Africa or to local families who had experienced a fire.

While attending Nanuet, New York High School, Esther was involved with choir, Future Nurses of America, as well as visual arts, creating work for yearbook, and designing sets for musical theater productions. Esther was an entrepreneur at an early age, making and selling her own jewelry while still in school. Later she began a decorating business called “EsWhit,” which featured flower arrangements, Christmas decorations, and crocheted crafts. She participated in many craft bazaars, and contributed her artistic flair within the churches, and organizations with whom she volunteered.

Esther accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior while attending Bethany Church in New York, and committed her life to ministry. She was a vocalist in a youth choir that served as part of the Harlem New York Crusades, and traveled to Urbana to share the Gospel,  then later as a co-laborer with her husband moved to Seattle, Washington as Area Directors for Young Life. While working as a full-time domestic engineer, Esther was very committed to believing God to make up any lack, and did her part by using what she had to stretch the budget: now commonly known as “repurposing or upcycling.” For instance, when her children were young, she took the cardboard box that a washing machine came in, and with permanent markers and some scissors created a playhouse to entertain her children when going outside of their high-rise New York apartment wasn’t possible. If weather didn’t allow going to the park, she took masking tape and created a hopscotch grid in the hallway, or made blanket forts in the living room.  As she was well-known for her cooking, Esther was employed briefly as a personal chef for a local business owner, as well as a volunteer “Den Mother” of sorts for Soul Liberation a group of young musicians of Tom Skinner Associates, cooking, sharing recipes, relationship advice, and bargain-hunting tips.

After her youngest child began school, Esther worked for Logos Christian Bookstore in Seattle, Washington and later served children and families in the Irvington School District in Portland as a Community Agent. Her commitment for those less fortunate continued while fostering several children herself, supporting other foster families, and donating items to Community Health Clinic. Her interest in medicine was further served when employed by Legacy Devers Eye Institute. Esther acquired extensive knowledge related to disabilities as a result of caring for her siblings, she was especially vocal as an advocate for the Aged and Disabled in Multnomah County, in-demand to share her policy-influencing knowledge, and understanding of community resources.

One thing that was consistent about Esther was her eager willingness to go to the places where she was needed. Whether it was driving to Spokane to ferry her children to their ministry commitments, cruising across Portland to find, purchase or distribute goods to bless those in need, or driving to and from various small congregations, Bible studies and house churches in or around Vancouver, Esther was always on the move. Just behind her love of God, family and community was her loyalty to Volvo cars, which she drove exclusively for over thirty years. Even then, she still found ways to make friends and share love and encouragement with other Volvo enthusiasts in repair shops and dealerships around the metro area. Esther’s adventurous spirit also took her overseas, where she visited missions in Mexico, Romania and Lagos Nigeria.

Although Esther was diagnosed with cancer in 2016, she didn’t share that information readily. Trusting that God had healing in mind for her, instead she continued to focus her attention on praying for and about others. Even while in the hospital she shared her love and faith with those caring for her, singing the old jingle, “I haven’t got time for the pain…” Her last request was to end her days in her own home, and she did so, surrounded by her sister and children--”Transitioned to Ancestor” on February 13, 2019.

Esther was preceded in death by her Parents, Walter and Rachael Whittingham, sister Faith Whittingham, grandson Jeremiah Howell, and many others. She is survived by children Camille Bass (Lowell), Jomo Greenidge (Rebecca), Rachelle Greenidge, and Jelani Greenidge (Holly);  sister Judith Adams, brother Glenn Whittingham, a host of Godchildren, and family members--some by choice, and some blood-related. Although we know her Heavenly home is pain-free, and imagine she has received her jeweled-crown reward, she is already sorely missed.

Esther’s Celebration of Life service will be Saturday July 27th, 2019 at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church in the Family Life Center at 11:00 am.

Thank you for your prayers and support, and patience as we attempt to move forward carrying on her legacy.

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