Susan Catherine Whittaker's Obituary
Susan Catherine (Palmer) Whittaker, age 80, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, passed away peacefully into the presence of God on June 8, 2025 at Willard Walker Hospice Home with her beloved children, Chris Dunkel and Robin (Dunkel) January, by her side. Susan was born February 22, 1945 in New York City to Alfred and Helen Palmer. While serving overseas during World War II, Alfred penned a letter to his wife instructing “if the baby is a girl, name her Susan.” Alfred never made it home to meet the daughter he named; he died while serving in the United States Army in Assam, India.
Despite losing her father, Susan’s childhood was idyllic. She was raised by her loving mother, Helen, alongside her cherished sister, Sharon, in the home of her maternal grandparents, “Nanny” and “Dee Dee.” Through her mother’s example, Susan established a strong work-ethic and developed an unwavering faith in God. The highlight of Susan’s childhood was the annual summer visit to Cape Cod where she made memories with aunts, uncles, and cousins spending long days at the beach, enjoying late dinners and nightly chores with the cousins, and watching Helen radiate with happiness in the company of her family.
Susan graduated from Marymount College in 1965 and worked as an executive secretary in the Birds Eye Division of General Foods before marrying and eventually settling in Arkansas. In 1987, a newly divorced Susan assumed sole ownership of Stubby’s BBQ in Hot Springs, Arkansas and learned how to successfully run a restaurant while raising her children. She taught her children the value of hard work, perseverance, determination, and strength. Susan and her son Chris worked side-by-side until she retired to Northwest Arkansas in 2018.
Susan spent 27 years married to the love of her life, John Whittaker, who preceded her in death.
Above all else, what Susan cherished most was motherhood. The greatest gift she passed to her children was unconditional love. Her love is woven into every fiber of her family. Susan is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Chris & Jennifer Dunkel; her daughter and son-in-law, Robin and Chris January; her step-daughter and son-in-law, Laura and Adam Kelly; her step-daughter, Lisa Whittaker; her precious yellow lab, Mia; and six grandchildren, Palmer Dunkel; Will, Matt, and Owen January; Whittaker and Vivian Kelly.
Services will be held on Monday, June 16, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fayetteville. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., rosary at 10:30 a.m., and a funeral mass at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Fairview Memorial Gardens by Nelson Berna Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Willard Walker Hospice Home, 325 East Longview Street, Fayetteville, AR, 72703.
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