Vicki Lee Whitmore, 65

Vicki Lee Whitmore, 65, of Post Falls, Idaho, went to be with the Lord on July 8, 2014, at Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Beloved mother and wife, she was surrounded by her husband and children.

Vicki was born January 14, 1949, in Los Angeles, Calif., to Fred and Virginia Perez. She was raised in Westchester, Calif., and graduated from Westchester High School.

Vicki worked, and attended classes at Loyola Marymount University. Following her work at Loyola, she was employed by a variety of lawyers as a legal secretary. In 1979, Vicki began working at Hughes Aircraft in El Segundo, Calif., and continued there for several years. A coworker and close friend described her as an excellent secretary.

Vicki married James Edward Whitmore on September 11, 1976, at Westchester United Methodist Church. Following her marriage she lived in Manhattan Beach, Calif. Pursuing her desire to be at home with her children, Vicki became a homemaker, keeping a beautifully clean and well organized home. She enjoyed walks on the beach, reading, going out to eat, exploring beautiful parks and spending time with friends and family.

In 1995, Vicki and her family moved to beautiful Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Bible studies were her passion, and Vicki was blessed to have one spiritual mentor in particular, Lou Shadwick. Lou taught Vicki a great deal about the Bible and instilled in her a passion for maturing in her personal relationship with Jesus Christ, a passion her children witnessed and adopted. Building relationships with others was achieved by becoming an active member of wonderful church families throughout her life, most recently at Grace Baptist Church in Post Falls, Idaho.

Among her interests were scenic drives and excursions throughout northern Idaho with her family, exercising via walks at the mall and around her beautiful neighborhood, and spoiling her dogs. Vicki’s wonderful smile and contagious laugh will be remembered and missed.

We would like to express our gratitude to many who cared for her. Dr. Kirby for his expertise and calm demeanor, and the staff at Generations Assisted Living and Wellness who treated her and her family like their own. Wonderful home cooked meals and scenic bus rides around local lakes and to the owners’ family ranch were her favorite memories.

Vicki is survived by her loving husband of 37 years, James, of Post Falls; her two children: Michael, of Post Falls, and Christina, of Boise, Idaho; sister-in-law, Ginger, of Venice, Calif., and father-in-law, Walter, of Westchester, Calif.

Vicki's memorial service will be held 11 a.m., Saturday, July 19, at Grace Baptist Church, 13329 W. Hayden Ave., Post Falls, Idaho. A reception and fellowship will follow the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Mayo Clinic or a charity of your choice in Vicki’s memory.