Carol Jean (Beam) Whitner
Date of Passing:
Carol Jean (Beam) Whitner died peacefully on Saturday January 2, 2021 at Wingate Residences on the East Side, Providence, RI. She was the beloved wife of Robert (Bob) Whitner.
Carol grew up in Old Zionsville, PA, the youngest daughter of Magdalene and Homer Beam. She graduated from Emmaus High School (1951). She continued her education at Allentown Hospital School of Nursing (1953). She spent the next forty years as a Registered Nurse, retiring from Allentown Osteopathic Hospital at the age of 62.
Carol lived in Emmaus, PA for 17 years, where she raised her daughter. As luck would have it, after her daughter left for college, she met her husband, Bob. They were two peas in a pod! For 35 years they enjoyed their life together in Macungie, PA and Indian Harbour Beach, FL.
Always rescuing homeless cats and dogs, Carol enjoyed walking on the beach, collecting shells, country western dancing and riding her bike. She and Bob hosted many dinner parties where Bob cooked, wine flowed and Carol washed the dishes! Carol was kind and gentle. She was energetic, hardworking and loving. She had a heart of gold.
Most of all Carol loved caring for her friends and family. She is survived by her daughter, Kimberly Dolan and her husband Mark of Barrington, RI. She also leaves her step-children Kristin Leard and her husband Doug of Blue Bell, PA and Drew Whitner and his wife Suzie Stanton of Sandy, OR. She was also a loving grandmother to Maddison and Magdalene O’Hayer and Tyler, Corinne and Brian Leard. She was so proud of her children and her grandchildren. She was predeceased by her sisters, Ruth Wetzel and Joanne Kleppinger.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date when we can gather safely. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Alzheimer’s Association. We would also like to thank her caregivers at Wingate Residences on the East Side for taking such good care of her.
I am very sorry for your loss. Carol was like a second mom to me in her nursing world. She was a beautiful person. So caring and loving. I worked in the medical record department and she had her part time job dictating discharge summaries for a surgical group back then. We spent many hours together. We shared many stories about her daughter Kim and how proud she was of her accomplishments. I was very young at the time and she’d enjoy my wild weekend stories. We laughed so much. I remember when she met Bob and how she’d light up talking about him. Although I hadn’t seen her in many years I’d always ask the retirees of AOMC how she was and learned of her illness. Hugs to the entire family and thankful having this beautiful person in my life.
So sad to hear of Carols passing. We were nursing classmates and remember great visits to Bob and Carols home in Florida over the years.
I will think about her and I will miss her.
May she rest in peace until the wondrous coming of Jesus.
Jane Frey
So sorry to hear of Carol’s passing. We were among her friends in Macungie and later in Indian Harbor Beach Fl. She had a love of animals and children. I remember how she could never pass a child on the street without stopping and talking to them. have great memories of our dinners together whether Bob cooked or we went out to a restaurant. Rest In Peace Carol.
Kim Russ and I were sorry to hear about your mother’s passing. Me,Russ, Bob and your mom had some really great times together. We used to go country dancing with them every week for around 10 years. We always had a great time on New Year’s Eve. Carol was always willing and able to watch our dog and her home became a second home for Hootie. We missed seeing her the past number of years but we will always have great memories. We always had a lot of laughs whenever we got together. We send our heartfelt sympathies to you and your family.
Your mom sounds like she was a wonderful, lively fun-loving woman and mother. My heart is with you Kim. ❤️