Jenny Whittaker
Jenny Whittaker was a politically active
woman. She was interested in making an impact and helping people. When
she was in college in California, she met John Avery Whittaker at a
lecture she was giving. Originally, Jenny and Jack Allen were seeing
each other just as friends, but Whit came along and snatched her up.
Jenny and her husband met on bad terms. She had been scheduled to give a
lecture on The Allegory of Love, a C.S. Lewis book. Mr. Whittaker
insulted her writing skills in front of her without knowing it.
Fortunately, Jenny's forgiving nature allowed for future growth of their
relationship.
Soon after marriage, Jenny and John had
three children: Jerry, Jason, and Jana Whittaker - all of which have
appeared on the program. Jenny's son Jerry died while serving his
country in the Vietnam War. This obviously affected the Whittaker
household. Jana, her daughter, had to break the news to the Whittaker's
that her husband was divorcing her. Jason, Jenny's youngest, later
joined the National Security Agency for work.
During their marriage, Jenny and Whit got
more involved in Odyssey. Jenny witness her husband's founding of the
Universal Press publishing company. Later, Jenny faced a difficult task
of saving a building called the Fillmore Recreation Center, a
"worn-down" piece of "real estate." The Center later became Whit's End.
Her attention to the old building ultimately led to her death when she
stopped taking care of herself. Dramatically, Jenny passed out at an
Odyssey city council meeting and died soon after in a hospital bed.
Jenny is periodically referenced
throughout the program.
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Jenny Whittaker first appeared in the
episode Recollections,
in which we learn about the creation of Whit's End.
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Jenny is voiced by Natalie O'Hare, an
actress who has played other characters as well.
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Jenny also appears in several other
episodes of the program, including
The Mortal Coil
and Silent Night.
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It is interesting to point out that
Mary Hopkins, another character in Odyssey, reminds John Avery
Whittaker of his deceased wife Jenny.
Back to Citizens of
Odyssey
