Pauline Whitehead

Pauline Rees Whitehead

September 3, 1933 - October 26, 2019

Pauline (Grammie) Whitehead passed away at home Saturday, October 26, 2019, surrounded by her loving family after a valiant battle with cancer. Pauline lived a full life, loved her family, and served her Savior. Never one to slow down, she worked and served to the end.

Pauline was born in Santa Monica, California, to Arthur Pan (Aristomenis Panagopoulos) and Etta Bischoff, and was the oldest of five children.  As a child she loved being on the beach in the sand and eating Hot Dogs on a Stick. Her father passed away when she was six years old, and her mother remarried Maurice Rees, who adopted Pauline and her sisters.  In 1952 she married James Blake Whitehead in the Mesa Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was the best companion ever! Together they had four children: James Blake Jr., Randall Joe, Diane, and Lynn. Pauline loved being a wife and a mother, taking her kids to explore Los Angeles, and with her as she served people through her many church positions. In 1968, Jim and Pauline moved to Mansfield, Ohio where Jim pursued his go-kart racing. Pauline embraced the change of pace and enjoyed the new experiences there. In 1974, they moved to Salt Lake City, Utah where she enjoyed being closer to family. In 2003, she and Jim served a memorable 18-month mission to Adam-ondi-Ahman. In 2005, they moved to Lehi, Utah, where they have enjoyed watching the landscape of the city grow. Jim and Pauline traveled to many places around the world, including Hong Kong and Rome, but loved visiting Greece, where she was finally able to meet her father’s family. Pauline was sensitive to people’s feelings and made sure everyone felt included. She attended hundreds of her grandchildren’s recitals, graduations, parties, and programs. She was quick to embrace technology and eager to take classes and learn, especially about computers. She always had a camera and took pictures at every event. She worked tirelessly at family history, made memory books for each grandchild, and stayed in contact with her extended family, especially her Greek relatives. She was an excellent cook, a beautiful seamstress, a dedicated housekeeper, a favorite AVON lady, and a master at gardening. She had a knack for remembering birthdays and making personalized cards for all of her posterity. Hundreds have been inspired by her example and testimony as she served in numerous callings in the Church, among them Relief Society President, Primary President, early-morning Seminary teacher, and visiting teacher.

Those who knew Grammie were lucky. Her consistency, love, and testimony will be an enduring example to us.

Preceded in death by her daddy Arthur Pan, step-father Maurice Rees, mother Etta Rees, sister Helen Clay, and daughter Lynn Kasteler. What a joyous reunion they’ve had!

Survived by her husband Jim, children Jim Jr. (Ruth), Randy (Cheryl), Diane (Alan) Knight, son-in-law Scott Kasteler (Christie), 14 grandchildren, 22 (soon to be 23) great-grandchildren, sisters Lorraine (Dick) Blackham and Louise Handy, and brother John (Sybil) Rees.

Funeral will be Monday, November 4th at 11:00 am at the Pheasant Pointe Stake Center at 890 W 3070 N, Lehi, UT.  A viewing will be held in the same location Sunday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 pm and Monday morning before the funeral from 9:45 to 10:45 am.  Interment will be at the Lehi City Cemetery, 1525 N 600 E, Lehi, UT.