Obituary of Anne Whitten

WHITTEN, Anne (nee Schols) Anne Whitten passed away on Thursday, December 27, 2012 in her home. Beloved wife of Roy Whitten for 42 years. Step-mother of Alan Whitten and his wife Laurie, and Kevin Whitten and his wife Ja Soon. Dear sister of Jacqueline Klym and Robert Schols, and sister-in-law of Justyn Klym. Beloved aunt of Jacqueline and Justyn's children, Michael and his partner Leanne Wilkinson, Paul and his wife Carol Watterson and their children Kayla and Brenna, Mark and his wife Nicole Jolly, and Natalie Klym. Devoted mother of two Siamese cats, Prince and Princess. Anne was born in Louvain, Belgium in 1934 and moved to Toronto in 1960 to be close to her sister and her family. She taught French at several private schools including Havergal College and served as Co-Chairman of the Bilingual Advisory Committee of Seneca College. She married the love of her life, Roy Whitten, in 1970. Several years later, she started her own business, Anne Whitten Bilingual Recruitment. She sold her business and retired at the age of 72. Anne maintained a strong connection to her Belgian roots after moving to Canada. She was co-founder of the Canadian Belgian Business Association, was decorated by the Belgian government for her outstanding work in Toronto's Francophone community, and was an officer of the Order of Leopold II. She devoted much of her time to caring for animals, particularly those in need of shelter. She was extremely generous, and will be remembered most for her laughter and celebration of life. There was always a party when Anne was around. She will be missed by her family and many friends and colleagues. A Mass will be held in ST. BONAVENTURE'S CHURCH, 1300 Leslie Street, Toronto (www.st-bonaventure.ca) at 10.30 a.m. on January 3, 2013 with a celebration of her life to follow. No flowers please. Donations may be made to the Odette Cancer Centre in Anne Whitten's honour. Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.