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	Deacon Chrystle Whitaker, shown here cooking a meal at Wichita's Episcopal Social Services, died suddenly at her home July 14.

Diocese mourns loss of
Wichita deacon

By Melodie Woerman
Editor, The Harvest

Deacon Chrystle Whitaker, who had served at St. Alban’s, Wichita, since her ordination in December 1994, died suddenly at her home July 14. She was 66.

Whitaker spent her career as a registered nurse. She worked for 25 years at Wichita’s Wesley Medical Center, where she was head nurse in the pediatrics department. She also was a nursing administrator for six years at Wesley, retiring in 2003.

She had been actively involved with Episcopal Social Services in recent years. She had been a member of their board of directors since 2002 and joined the executive committee in 2005 as secretary.

She was chair of ESS’s community relations committee in 2003 and chair of the human resource development committee in 2004. She also assisted with the representative payee program.

Only days before she died, Whitaker had begun a daily worship service for ESS staff and volunteers. Her husband Bill and daughter Leighanne have continued to lead that service.

A great loss

Archdeacon Jim Upton has known Whitaker from the time he was a deacon assigned to St. Alban’s and she was in the process toward ordination. He said he knew early on that she had “the heart of a deacon.”

He said, “She wasn’t looking at ordination so that she could ‘do ministry’ but to partner with and lead God’s people into living out their faith in their daily lives. This didn’t mean that Chrystle quit her own ministry that she had for so many years, caring for the sick, tending the hurt and wounded, but that now she would help others see the worth of their ministry and support them in living their faith.”

The Rev. Jim Mitchell, who served as priest in charge of St. Alban’s until its recent merger with St. Stephen’s, said he knew Whitaker from their days working together at on the staff of Wesley Medical Center.

“She was a compassionate leader and, like most nurses, continually taking notes and recording activities,” Mitchell said. “This skill was put to very good use in her ongoing pastoral ministry. She seldom missed anything or anyone in her exceptional caring. Her commitment to ministry and personal touch were seen and felt by many even beyond her parish home.”

In reflecting on Whitaker’s life Upton said, “Chrystle brought listening ears, an open heart and true compassion to everyone she ministered to, but she was not afraid to confront issues and people when needed. She was a good friend and counsellor, and she will be missed.”

Memorials to ESS

Whitaker is survived by her husband of 44 years, Bill; a son, William; a daughter, Leighanne; a sister, Cheryl; three grandchildren; one great-grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews.

A requiem Eucharist celebrating Whitaker’s life and ministry took place at St. Stephen’s July 19 with Bishop Dean Wolfe celebrating and preaching.

A memorial in her name has been established at Episcopal Social Services. Contributions may be sent to ESS at 233 S. St. Francis, Wichita, KS 67202.