Elva Jetta (Sween) Whiting passed away at her home after a brief non-COVID illness on October 8, 2020 in San Jose, California. Elva was born February 2, 1931 in Seattle, Washington to Severin and Mary (Turner) Sween. She and her little brother Dick were raised on their grandfather Edgar Turner’s homestead at Turner’s Corner in Snohomish County, Washington, and went through the Bothell school system. She graduated high school in 1949 and went on to graduate from Washington State College in 1953 with a BS in Foods and Nutrition. Her first job after graduating was doing food research at Michigan State College/University for 2½ years. She then moved to California where she again worked in food research at the University of California in Davis for 1 year. She met Everett Houston Whiting at a Farm Bureau Young People’s picnic and three months later on November 16, 1957, they were married in Davis. They lived in Dixon, California, at the Whiting family ranch east of Dixon for a few years. They then moved into a new home that Elva designed and her father built, on nearby Levee Road. Here they raised their two daughters and son. Everett was in the sheep business and then became a real estate broker in 1965, retiring in 1996. They moved to San Jose in 2019 to be closer to their children and grandchildren.
Elva was a wonderful wife and mother, making sure to curate a supportive and happy childhood for her kids. From the early ‘60s into the ‘90s she was an integral part of the Dixon 4-H clubs and a dedicated 4-H leader when their three children were in 4-H. During those years she also worked a few months per year in the livestock office at the annual Dixon May Fair. She was an avid genealogist throughout her entire adult life and had amassed a treasure trove of family documents and photos. After Everett retired, they were able to travel to Norway, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, England, Italy, Iceland, Canada, Mexico, and many US states from Alaska to Florida, Hawaii to Maine. A majority of their trips were planned around visiting living relatives, but also included courthouses and cemeteries so Elva could do genealogy research. Most of all she loved being surrounded by her family; she was the glue for her family and a wonderful role model for them (and countless others). Their Dixon ranch served as a home base for her large extended family. The annual Easter gatherings at their ranch and camping trips to the Mendocino coast became Whiting family traditions.
Elva is survived by her three children Doreen O’Donovan (Kevin) of Aptos, CA, Kate Sandusky (Preston) of Aptos, CA, and Kent Whiting (Janice) of Campbell, CA; grandchildren Caryn, Jeffrey, Taylor, Morgan, Sydney, and Jamie; great grandchildren Jackson, Charlie, and Kye; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband Everett Houston Whiting and brother Richard Severin Sween. In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations may be sent to Solano County 4-H Leaders Council, In Memory of Elva and Everett Whiting, 501 Texas Street, 1st Floor, Fairfield, CA 94533.
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Karen Everett Lewis
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Elva’s attention to detail and love of geneology will be greatly missed.
Linda Whiting
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Aunt Elva will be greatly missed! She was a wonderful woman, with so many interests and talents. It was always a joy to visit her home. She was welcoming and creative and very encouraging to young minds. She was no-nonsense and practical and she was easy to be around. She was a determined and intelligent woman and rarely got ruffled by any of the chaos that happened to be around her. She raised three great kids! Much love to you all! Cousin Linda
Rhonda Rose
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I love you Elva
Kaye Stafford
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We live in the house that Elva, Severn, & Mary moved into when Elva was a teenager. Elva once brought her family and walked the property recalling her time spent growing up. From her recollections and photographs, I created a website called, "This Old House". Elva continued to send photos along as she came across them. It was fun to read about her year’s activities with her family in her annual holiday letter. It is clear how deeply she cherished each of them. I know she will be missed by all whose path crossed hers! Condolences to you on your loss.
Karen E Lewis
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Elva will be missed by all who knew her, including me. She was always interested in family history and genealogy, as was my mother, and as am I.
My deepest condolences on your loss.
David Maxwell
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My earliest memory of Elva & Everett’s was playing Monopoly with the family, my grand parents, my parents, Uncle Bert & Mary and Everett & Elva all playing the board game and Elva made the best brownies ever at the ranch. I was 3 or 4. And October pheasant hunting and stopping by the ranch with my Grandpa Maxwell every year. I missed most of the Easter events but my parents loved the event every year. The hole family thanks Elva for keeping all of us in contact with family.
Cathie Smith
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We will all miss her. She was a very giving person. If you needed anything she jumped in and got it done immediately. Prayers go out to the whole family. Love you all.
Elaine and Todd Yuzuriha
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Mrs. Whiting was always so calm and capable, and imparted those qualities to her wonderful children. Visiting their home was always fun and welcoming, and I have nothing but positive memories of both Mr. and Mrs. Whiting. We send our heartfelt condolences for your loss.