Sally Lanyon Whitten

Sally Ann Lanyon Whitten, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, departed this life on March 14, 2022. A lifelong resident of Oklahoma City, Sally was born on May 31,1944 to Ella and Searle Lanyon. After graduating from Northwest Classen high school, Sally attended Trinity University in San Antonio where she earned her BA in both art and elementary education. She served as Student Government Treasurer, Vice President of the Associated Women Students, Vice President of Scho-Lea (Mortar Board) organization and was on the tennis team. It was at Trinity that Sally met James Perry Whitten, whom she would marry in August of 1966. Sally and Jim welcomed their daughter Laura into the world on March 9, 1968. Throughout her life, Sally was a tireless advocate for worthy causes. In her college years, Sally volunteered as a tutor for orphaned children. As a young wife and mother in Oklahoma City, she merged her heart for service with her passion for the arts. She also especially loved her weekly volunteer work with her Therapy Dog 'Oscar' at Children's Hospital.Sally was well known in the Oklahoma City Arts community, serving as Chairman of the Festival of the Arts and Wintertales, a storytelling and writers workshop with noted children's authors. Sally also chaired the Business and Arts Awards, sponsored by the Arts Council of Oklahoma City, as well as the Festival of the Arts at Remington Park - the first festival in the aftermath of the 1995 terrorist attack. When not chairing large events, she served on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Arts Council of Oklahoma City. She was also active with Stage Center and The Orchestra League, where Sally served as Decorator Chairman. Sally was an active member in the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, The Omniplex Museum, Oklahoma City Arts Museum, Kirkpatrick Center, Allied Arts, Oklahoma City Zoo, City Arts and Oklahoma Art League. She also founded The Art Connection - a business venture marketing artists' jewelry through the Apparel Mart in Dallas, Texas. Sally loved gardening, interior decorating, painting, studying genealogy, and most of all, her family.Her life philosophy was "Learn and Contribute." Sally believed we are always students, and as we learn from others it is our responsibility to contribute to those around us and expand upon those lessons.Sally is survived by her daughter Laura Lanyon Whitten Rizzo, Son-in-law Eric Rizzo, much-adored grandchildren George, Lanyon, and Cas Rizzo of Warrenton, Virginia, and her sister Lisa Lanyon O'Malley of Aurora, Colorado. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Oklahoma Children's Hospital. A service to honor Sally's life will be held on a future date in Pittsburg, Kansas, where she and Jim will be laid to rest.