Whitney M Wilkins

Determined, quiet, and stoic, Whitney Marie Wilkins of Lewiston passed away in Grangeville on February 22, 2024, of breast cancer. She was 36.

Born March 1, 1987, to Jeff and Carla (Nuxoll) Wilkins, in Ellensburg, Washington, Whitney was the oldest of four children. The family moved to Grangeville in 1990, where she grew up fishing in the family pond, playing with the many animals and camping in the backyard “forest”.

After attending Sts. Peter and Paul School, she graduated from Grangeville High School in 2006. She was a dedicated student, loved playing in the band and swam on Grangeville’s Swim Team.

From a young age, Whitney confronted medical challenges, including an AV Malformation that ruptured at birth and developing Chiari Syndrome with a syrinx at the age of 13. Despite these obstacles, she demonstrated remarkable resilience. By age two she knew over twenty signs of sign language to make her needs known until she developed her speech. 

Because of mobility issues while attending LC State College, Whitney was placed in the athlete’s dorm. Her dorm mates teasingly guessed what her secret sport might be. They agreed that it must be bowling after she finished higher than many of them with a cool mid-90’s score.

After graduating with an AAS degree and many fond memories, Whitney worked for Advanced Welding in Grangeville for six years and then in the registrar’s office at LC State after moving to Lewiston. Throughout her journey, she deeply appreciated the unwavering support of her employers and colleagues, who not only embraced her abilities but also displayed countless acts of kindness, such as the memorable instance when a coworker rescued her from an icy sidewalk using a rolling office chair.

Whitney enjoyed trips to New York, Washington DC, New Orleans, California and Florida. In her free time, she found joy in painting pictures and loved having her sister, Taylor, as a roommate for the past three years.

Left to honor Whitney’s memory are her parents, Jeff and Carla Wilkins; siblings, Grant (Vanessa) Wilkins, Kelsea (Mitchell) Jones and Taylor Wilkins; grandparents, Lorraine Nuxoll and Ted and Mary Wilkins; and four nieces she thoroughly enjoyed. Her grandfather, Bart Nuxoll, preceded her in death. 

In celebration of Whitney’s life, consider extending opportunities to individuals with disabilities by offering employment or support, even for just a few hours a week. Donations in her memory can be made to Sts. Peter and Paul School, 330 S. “B”, or the Grangeville Community Foundation, PO Box 497, both at Grangeville, ID 83530, or St. Gertrude’s Museum, 465 Keuterville Rd., Cottonwood, ID 83522.

No services are planned at this time. 

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