Elaine passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family. She was a blessing for all, gifted with a winning smile, and full of the joy of life.
She was born in Dallas and at the age of five moved to Fort Worth with her Russey family. She was the oldest of five Russey children: Elaine, Pete, Terry, Marilyn and Bob. In high school, Elaine’s best class was French. She graduated from Arlington Heights High School and went on to Texas Tech.
During her sophomore year, on a blind date arranged by her roommate, Elaine met Herbert (Bud) Whitney, who convinced her one year later to marry him. Although Elaine had three years of credits, she joined Bud at Texas A&M where he was completing the fifth year of a five-year course. While trying to contribute to a tight budget, she decided to send an entry to the 1957 Pillsbury Bakeoff. Four months later, she was selected as one of 100 from across the country to fly First Class to Los Angeles and compete with the other 99, all cooking their original recipes at the same time. That evening at the banquet, Elaine won second place. She was awarded one thousand dollars, GE’s best electric range, and a photo with Ronald Reagan, a future President of the U.S.
After Bud’s graduation, he began a 45-year career that included IBM, Texas Instruments and Amdahl. Meanwhile, Elaine was busy with her own career. Here are her own words: “Bud and I immediately had four children, all born within three-and-a half years. As a young mother, I did all the things a mother does to see that her children turn out to be the best they can be. Besides supporting my children in their sports, art activities and school activities, I was active in the Presbyterian Church and Tri Delta Alumnae. In Houston, I was also on the Houston Board of Camp Fire Girls and Panhellenic Board. And I served four years as a district officer of Tri Delta overseeing four chapters in Texas.
“Later, I resigned those positions as Bud had become European Information Systems Manager for Texas Instruments. In the fall of 1978, we put our fourth child into college, making us empty-nesters so we headed to Nice, France for two-and-one-half years. Living in France was a desire that Mrs. Wells had instilled into me in French class at AHHS. And it was everything I wanted it to be. There I found myself. For the first time I had time to be me. I traveled extensively and our children benefited by doing the same in the summers. My youngest daughter attended the Sorbonne one semester in Paris.
“Returning from France in 1981, I returned to college and received a degree in Art History and Visual Arts at the University of Texas at Dallas. At the same time, I returned to serve on the Tri Delta Charity Antiques Show Board and began involvement in the Dallas Museum of Art.”
“I served several years in the outreach program before becoming a Docent for many years, attending lectures and workshops on Mondays and giving tours on Thursdays to school groups. I served on the DMA League Board for several years. I loved this association and especially enjoy the friends I served with, for they are from many parts of the US and other countries. Learning and sharing knowledge of the arts is the common denominator. Additionally, visiting the friends I made in various countries in Europe every two or four years gives me great pleasure as well as having them visit us here. Life has been good to me. Family, friends, learning and a sense of humor are the keys to happiness.”
Elaine is survived by her husband, Herbert Ward (Bud) Whitney. Surviving Children are David Christian Whitney and wife, Bette Weisler-Whitney; Merrie Leigh Whitney; Laura Elaine Whitney Daly and husband, Jeff Daly. Preceded by death is Herbert Wilson Whitney, son. Alice Lima-Whitney is his widow. Surviving Siblings are Charles Bennett (Pete) Russey, Terrence Lee (Terry) Russey and wife Paula, and Robert George (Bob) Russey and wife Paige. Preceded by death is Marilyn Kay Russey Latting. Parents preceded by death are Charles Merrie (C. M.) Russey, father, and Velma Fay Bennett Russey, mother.
Grandchildren are Kathryn (Katie) Daly, Allison (Allie) Daly Beyer and husband Patrick, Austin Whitney and wife Amy, Deidre Powell Sullivan and husband Duncan Sullivan, Emma Whitney, and Clara Whitney. Great grandchildren are Margaret Beyer, and Hayden Beyer.
View more details at the funeral home site.
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