Mary Ella Arnold Whitten


 

Mary Ella (Casey) Whitten of Stuart, Fl and"'-East Arlington, VT died March 12,2015 at the home of her
daughter and son-in-law Lari Ann and Mike Hayes with her family at her side. Mary Ella was born on
Sept. 7, 1933 in Cambridge, NY to Harry and Jennie (Loveland) Arnold. Her daughter Lari Ann and son
in law Mike Hayes along with her son Dan Carey, Jr. have been constant care giver these last few months
of her life.
She graduated from Cambridge Central School in 1949 at the age of 16 and went on to become a certified
public account (CPA), certified international auditor (CIA), held a US Coast Guard Masters license and a
Ham Radio license. She was a member of MENSA and was selected for inclusion in Marquis "Who's Who
in Finance and Industry" and "Who's Who in the World". She held a BA from the State University of
New York and did graduate work at Columbia University in NY. She also received her PHD in
philosophy in her spare time.
After managing an accounting office in Troy, New York, she went on to work in financial management at
Stauffer Chemical Company and, later, became Controller for ANSAC, a $360 million dollar chemical
exporting company. Working in international accounting and exporting involved extensive travel both in
the U.S. and internationally, giving Mary Ella an opportunity to explore the world and many of the
world's most famous art museums in Asia, South America and Europe, even to the Hermitage in st.
Petersburg.
Following a serious accident aboard an airplane, Mary Ella was forced to retire and decided to devote full
time to her art (with the support of her husband, James Whitten). Her extensive travels, living aboard a 45
foot sailboat for eight years, and experience in construction (she supervised and audited the construction of
many millions of dollars of factories for General Electric and Stauffer as well as building over 300 houses),
provided the basis for her interest in marine art and complicated construction projects, such as the
Roosevelt Bridge series she has painted. Mary Ella was an Official US Coast Guard Artist and a member
of the International Society of Marine Painters, American Society of Marine Artists, Art Associates of
Martin County Palm City Art Associates, Martin and Palm Beach Council for the Arts, Hobe Sound Fine
Arts League, Jensen Beach Art League, Watercolor Society of Alabama, Pennsylvania Watercolor Society,
Martin County Historical Society, DAR and others.
Mary Ella was proud of her work and her art, but mostly she was proud of her family. She began a
genealogy project years ago and passed the information on to her children to carry it forward. She is
survived by her children; Leonard (& Maureen) Finning and Daniel (&Suzanne) Carey, Jr., Lorna
Finning, Linda (& Pat) Kelley, and Lari Ann (& Michael) Hayes as well as step children; James (& Sue)
Whitten, Robert (& Maria) Whitten and Richard (& Vanessa) Whitten. She is also survived by 13
grandchildren, 8 step grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren, 2 step great grandchildren, a sister; Norma
(John) Brennan, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. Besides her parents she was
predeceased by ex-husband Lawrence Finning (83), ex-husband Daniel Carey (85) and the love of her life
and husband, James A. Whitten in 1999. Also, her sons George Carey (2012) and Alan Carey (2014),
granddaughter Heather Finning (2012), grandson Patrick W. Kelley (1971) and great granddaughter Amy
Friend (2007), a sister Dorothy (August H.) Zielke, a brother Harry L. Arnold, Jr., and a brother Francis
Loveland.
Eternal Blessings is in charge of arrangements. Mary Ella will be buried with her husband, James Whitten,
at Saratoga National Cemetery. At her request there will be no calling hours at this time. In lieu of flowers
donations may be made to: Lari Ann Hayes, c/o Linda Kelley , PO Box 320, Springfield, VT 05156 or the Cambridge Food Pantry, PO Box 473, Cambridge, NY 12816.


 

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