Loralyn A. Whitney

Loralyn A. "Lora" Whitney, 71, of Edinboro, passed away at her residence on Thursday, December 26, 2024.

Lora was born on August 6, 1953, in Titusville to the late Rev. Vernon G. and Genevieve C. Gordon Whitney.

She graduated from Mount Gilead High School in Ohio, Class of 1971. She received her bachelor's degree from Denison University, her Master of Arts in Folklore from Indiana University at Bloomington, and her Master of Science in Library Science from Clarion University. As part of a degree program, she studied abroad in Oxford, England, an experience she treasured and fondly remembered.

Lora was an outreach librarian for a library system in Colorado, served as the library director for Villa Maria College, and then was Collection Development Librarian at Edinboro University from 1989 until her retirement. She participated in a number of university committees and served several years as the chair of the library department at Edinboro. She was co-editor of two books and authored several book reviews in Library Journal.

Lora loved arts and crafts, folklore, folk music, history, nature, reading, and had a special interest in Amish culture, Celts, medieval Britain, and Vikings. She read widely in those areas and maintained Pinterest pages in support of her interests. She was especially proud of her collection of one-of-a-kind images showcasing many beautiful and curious photos and illustrations. She also played guitar and dulcimer.

Lora also loved going antiquing and thrifting with friends. She acquired substantial collections of Wade figurines and cast-iron Amish figures, sharing duplicate figures with friends. Travels often included stops for local historical sites and special restaurants. In addition to travels throughout Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio, she journeyed to Las Vegas; San Antonio; Mystic, Connecticut and more.

Lora will be missed by her many friends and former colleagues.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother Dr. Gordon G. Whitney.

A funeral service will be held at the Gordon B. Garrett Funeral Home Inc. 303 N. Washington St. Titusville, at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 8th.

Interment will be at Crown Hill Cemetery in Ohio.

Memorial contributions can be made to the American Diabetes Association.
 

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