Cindy Lou Whitney

Cindy Lou Whitney
February 18, 1950 -June 3, 2025
Cindy passed away at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough. Cindy was born in Imlay City, Michigan to Vernon and Wanda (Shantz) Brandt. She attended local schools and earned degrees in floriculture at Michigan State. On trips with her family, Cindy fell in love with the Atlantic Ocean. At the conclusion of her academic life she chose a florist shop in Portland, Maine to begin her career. In 1972, she met a Portland Firefighter, Donald Patrick Whitney, Jr on a blind date. They were married in Cindy’s home town on May 19, 1973. The couple resided in a saltbox home in Westbrook, Maine. Cindy, an avid flower gardener, established gardens in the yard and beautified the interior of the home with her eye for decorating. Cindy and Don were drawn to the ocean countless times with her interest in lighthouses, the roar of the waves and peacefulness. Cindy became a mother on April 2, 1974, Aubrey Leigh Whitney was born. Two years later, Brendon Patrick Whitney was born on April 5th. Cindy was a loving, tender mother and in 1986, she presented the family with their third child, Ehren Vern Whitney, on November 20th.

Although Don was the head of the family, Cindy was always the heart of the family. In the home, Cindy’s talents were many. Making quilts, stenciled art on paper and textiles, painting New England scenes, baking, teaching the historic art of stenciling in the Portland School System, needlepoint art, stenciling in antique homes and in the conservation of the art of itinerant stenciler Moses Eaton (1796-1886).

A wonderful grandmother to Sophia, Quincey, Aiko and Inara, she attended many of their special events; dance classes, plays, sports, recitals, concerts and graduations. Grandma and Grandpa ALWAYS made it a point to send or deliver a card or something special for birthdays and holidays and over the years, she hosted the granddaughters for tea parties, fairy garden making parties and craft days. In Spring, Summer and Fall you could always find Cindy working in her seven gardens, surrounding their home. She spent much time making lists, planning, and designing and planting her gardens. Each garden, a different color theme.

Cindy was predeceased by her parents; her brother, Wesley Brandt and her son Brendon. Cindy is survived by her husband, Donald; her daughter, Aubrey Cummings, and her husband, Theodore; her son Ehren, and his partner, Sean; her daughter in law, Jennifer Whitney; and Cindy’s beloved granddaughters Sophia Cummings, Quincey Cummings, Aiko Whitney and Inara Whitney; Cindy’s sisters, Yvonne, Lori, Luanne and Dawn.
Visiting hours will be held from 9:00am to 10:30am at the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home of South Portland, 1024 Broadway with a Requiem Mass at 11:00am at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 124 Cottage Road. Interment will follow at Forest City Cemetery, Lincoln Street, South Portland at the Portland Veteran Firemen’s Association Lot.