Caroline Johnson Whipple, 91, of Vero Beach, passed away on July 18, 2015.
She is survived by three children, Caroline (Roddy) Jennings (Jack), Charles (Lynne) Whipple and Susan (Bill) MacDonald; seven grandchildren, Carrie (Sam) Holloway, Lisa (Robert) Clarkson, Heather (Ben) Stefanski, David (Caroline) Jennings, Laura (Kris) Whalen, Lindsay (Nathan) Hubbard, and John (Ellis) Whipple; eighteen great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and her sister, Isabelle Hill.
She was preceded in death by her son, Stephen Whipple, and her husband.
Born on Sept. 7, 1923, she was the youngest of six children and grew up in Kenilworth, Ill. She attended Roycemore School in Evanston and Vassar College where she was a drama major known for her beauty. She married Charles John Whipple, Jr. in 1943 and raised her family of four children in Winnetka, Ill. In 1972, she and her husband moved to Belleair, Fla., and in 2011 she moved to Vero Beach to be closer to two of her children.
A lifelong golf enthusiast (former club champion at Glen View Country Club), worldwide traveler and international backgammon champion, she also was an active volunteer serving for years with the Junior League of Evanston and on the altar guilds of Christ Church in Winnetka, Ill. and Church of the Ascension in Clearwater, Fla. She was honored for her volunteer service of 40 years at Morton Plant Hospital.
While still living on the North Shore, she was a manager of Marshall Field’s Bridal Salon and the 28 Shop at Old Orchard. She loved animals, particularly dogs, and over her lifetime, owned a Cocker Spaniel, several English Springer Spaniels, an English Bull Mastiff, a St. Bernard and four Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
Affectionately called “Lala” by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she was a remarkable presence in each of their lives and was able to take each grandchild on a special trip. Her greatest joy was being surrounded by her family and “Lala Land” was always a favorite place to visit.
A memorial service will be held at Christ Church in Winnetka, Illinois on Aug. 8 at 4 p.m. Burial will be private.
Funeral arrangements are being made by Donnellan Family Funeral Home 10045 Skokie Boulevard, Skokie, IL 60077.
In lieu of flowers, donations could be made to the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County, c/o Connie Cotherman, PO Box 644 Vero Beach, Florida 32961-0644.
Local arrangements are under the direction of Strunk Funeral Home, Vero Beach.
A guest book is available at www.strunkfuneralhome.com.