Marla Jean Whittle

TEMPLETON - Marla Jean Whittle, age 55, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, August 28, 2020 due to complications from a GBM (Glioblastoma Multiforme) Brain Tumor previously diagnosed 6 months earlier. Marla was born November 2, 1964 in Fitchburg, Ma to Chuck and Carol Schrawder. The family later moved to Baldwinville, Ma where she graduated from Narragansett Regional High School in 1982. After high school, where Marla graduated second in her class, she attended Becker Junior College in Worcester, Ma. graduating with an Executive Secretarial degree before starting her career at Digital as an office administrator. In 1986, she moved with her long-time boyfriend to California after Scott graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Marla transferred within Digital to their California location so Scott could chase his career. She married her high school sweetheart, Scott Whittle on September 11, 1987. Marla attended night school at National University while working full time at Digital to earn a BS in Accounting while Scott started his career working for Hughes Aircraft Company as a Computer Systems Engineer. After several years of building a life with one another, Marla gave birth to her two boys on June 2, 1998. Marla stayed home to full fill her lifelong dream to be a mom and raise the boys while Scott progressed through the ranks to eventually work for Raytheon Airborne Systems Division in El Segundo, California. In 2009, the family returned to Templeton, Ma where Marla in 2010 joined the accounting department of Athol Savings Bank in Athol, Ma while Scott stayed home with the boys. To Marla, family was everything. From the first time Scott and she met in Baldwinville at a Christmas party she knew Scott was the one she wanted to marry and raise a family with. Lucky for Scott, she was determined. At age 12, they were both just kids, but Scott remembers the way she looked at him with those big brown eyes. She was very shy and Scott just the opposite but like you hear, opposites attract. They grew up together through high school where Marla was a grade behind but they were inseparable. Marla was willing to go anywhere and do anything as long as they were together (skiing, biking, hiking, camping, traveling, and motorcycling). The couple enjoyed over ten years together in California before being blessed with the twin boys. Marla really found her calling when the boys were born, being in California with no family she quickly figured out how to care for twins along with other mothers by joining a twins group. She made it look easy and was determined to show her boys everything. Scott remembers getting home late from work several times to find she wasn’t home because she was at Disneyland late waiting for the Disney parade to finish, the boys were only two but she took them to everything. Growing up being shy, and feeling it stopped her from doing things she wished, she was determined to make sure the boys didn’t miss out on anything. Marla was always such a “hands-on” Mom that Scott always joked that he would need to find colleges that would allow her to attend with the boys, her love and devotion for the boys was evident in everything she did. Life sometimes throws you a curve ball and with Marla and Scott it sure did. Due to health reasons, Scott had to retire early causing the family to move back to Templeton, Ma to be closer to family. Marla did what she had to do, she went back to work even though her love and passion was to be home taking care of her family. She excelled at work, made life-long friendships, and continued to take care of the lion share of activities required to run a household. She did it all with a selfless determination to give her best to her family. Marla was as beautiful inside as she was outside, her smile with those cheek bones would light up a room, her love for her family was limitless, and her care and desire to make her boys the best they could be is evident in the young men they have become. She showed Scott what it feels like to be truly loved by someone and how to give it back. She was the heart and soul of the family and will never be forgotten! Marla joins her mother, Carol Schrawder and her brother Ryan Schrawder in heaven. She is survived by her husband, Scott Whittle and her two sons Cameron Whittle and Conner Whittle all of Templeton; her father Chuck Schrawder of Baldwinville; and her 2 brothers: Brent Schrawder and his wife Elisha from Leominster; and Clayton Shaffer and his wife Julie from Colorado. At this time, due to the world we live in, the funeral services will be on hold until a later time. In lieu of flowers please donate to the American Brain Tumor Association (abta.org) in memory of Marla Whittle. The donate button along with a means of entering the person’s name are present on the website. To send an online condolence please visit www.mackfamilyfh.com. Mack Family Funeral Home, 105 Central St., Gardner is directing arrangements.