Dorothy Louise Whittaker Strunk, 86, of Vero Beach, FL, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family Saturday, May 14, 2022 at the VNA Hospice House, Vero Beach.

Dorothy was born in Boissevaine, VA, the 3rd child of Jack and Mary Hicks. She has lived in Vero Beach for 52 years coming from Bluefield, VA.

She was a graduate of Graham High School, Bluefield, VA, Class of 1954. Following graduation Dorothy attended Charleston General Hospital’s School of Nursing where she graduated in 1957. She took a position at Charleston General as a registered nurse. Later Dorothy attended Charleston Memorial Hospital’s School of Anesthesia and upon completing her training she became a Board Certified Nurse Anesthetist.

Dorothy was very active in the Vero Beach community. She was a volunteer nurse with the Head Start Program, served on the board of the Indian River County Council on Aging and was a member of the Garden Club of Indian River County. Most will remember her for the 41 years she served the families of this community through her service at the Strunk Funeral Home. Dorothy loved the outdoors and enjoyed playing golf, fishing, boating and hunting with her family. Dorothy was a member of the Vero Beach Yacht Club, the Vero Beach Country Club and the Pelican Yacht Club in Ft. Pierce. She was an amazing cook and loved to entertain in her home, especially during the holidays. Her family will remember her most as a devoted and loving mother, wife, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend and most recently great-grandmother. She never met a stranger. Dorothy managed to impact the lives of everyone she knew, she was always there to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. A family friend recently described her as being “a monument to making a difference for good in this world” and nothing could be more true.

Survivors include her children, Billy Whittaker (Sara), Tracy Chenoweth and Molly Hanks (Chris) all of Vero Beach; grandchildren, Emily Gussin (JP), Joe Whittaker (Caitlin Cole), Whitt Chenoweth (Breanna Thornton), Lilly Chenoweth (Nick Nesbit), Spencer Chenoweth, Sadie Hanks and Sawyer Hanks, all of Vero Beach; great-grandson, Wylde Gussin of Vero Beach; sister, Nancy Wood of Vero Beach, nephews, David Hicks (Melissa)of Bluefield, VA, James W. Young (Timea) of Vero Beach, Todd Wood (Jessica) of Vero Beach, and Jack Wood (Heather) of Weirton, WVA; nieces, Mary Jane Mills (Bill), Beth Atamer Goodwin (Paul) and Amy Lore (Mike) all of Vero Beach, Kim Houck (Kevin) of Roanoke, VA and Beverly Karnes (Gale) of Tazwell, VA and numerous great nieces and nephews.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her first husband, William B. Whittaker, MD, sister, Billie Ann Young, brother, James A. Hicks and second husband, Glenn A. Strunk.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice Foundation, 1110, 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960 in memory of Dorothy Louise Whittaker Strunk.

Private services were held for Dorothy on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 with Neal Watkins officiating.