Born Aug. 13, 1939
Mary Fletcher Hospital, Burlington
Died June 21, 2025
UVM Medical Center, Burlington
Tom Whitney died on June 21 following a stroke. Tom was the oldest of five siblings born to Bill and Alli Whitney of South Burlington. Tom liked to say he learned about hard work doing farm chores, though future endeavors suggest that kind of work was not for him. Tom’s story reflects a series of grand passions that resulted in an interesting life.
While in high school, Tom developed a passion for photography and set up a darkroom. Tom left home after graduation, looking for what the world had to offer. He joined the Navy for three years, then settled in Los Angeles with his wife, Elvie Moore, and their two sons. Tom and Elvie became social justice advocates: Elvie was a published playwright highlighting racial inequalities, and Tom became part of The Grantsmanship Center, publishing an award-winning magazine about applying for grants.
Tom lived in Sacramento and taught at Folsom Prison, then worked as graphic designer for Regional Transit. He volunteered with many environmental and urban planning and development projects. His efforts caused enough “good trouble” for Tom to earn an Environmentalist of the Year award. While in Sacramento, Tom met and married Betsy Palmer, who established a company that translated text into Braille, while Tom managed graphic design.
Tom later moved to Hilo, Hawaii. He documented Hawaiian culture and had several museum exhibitions of native spiritual practices on Mauna Kea. Photography, reading, and writing dominated this period of his life. He published several books: The Book of Years and Celebrating the Hawaiian Culture.
Tom is survived by his son, Abdullah Taalib Sankofa and wife, Dina; his sisters Mary Campbell and Sara Denny; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two siblings, Alice and David, his son Julien, and his wives.
In 2019, Tom returned to Vermont. He was pleased to find a welcoming community at Three Cathedral Square. The family wants to thank Tom’s many friends at Cathedral Square for their kindnesses near the end of Tom’s life.
