Denise (Niecie) Jaqua Whitman, homemaker, died on August 16, 2026 at age 97. She was born June 11, 1929 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Albert R. and Hilda Jaqua and lived in Ft Thomas, Kentucky until her senior year of high school. She studied ballet and piano in Cincinnati for 6 years. The family moved to Dallas, Texas where she graduated from Highland Park High School. She graduated from Tulsa University in 1952 with majors in Physical Education and English. While at TU she was drum majorette, a member of the TU band and Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. She taught physical education at TU during her junior and senior years and later one year at Roosevelt Junior High.

She was a member and at various times on the boards and committees of the Junior Association of the Tulsa Boys Home, Tulsa Ballet Guild and a volunteer in the gift shop at Philbrook Museum. She was chairman of the TU Kappa House Board for many years and later became a mentor for new members. She was an active member of Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church serving on the Sanctuary Guild for many years. She held a private pilot license with instrument rating and was a member of the EAA, the National Biplane Association, and docent at The Tulsa Air and Space Museum. She enjoyed playing golf, the piano, painting and sharing her pictures with family and friends. Always active, at Inverness Village she was known as an avid and fast walker.

Denise is preceded by her father, mother, and SJ Whitman, brother Richard Jaqua, and daughter in-law Shawn Whitman. She is survived by her son, Scott Whitman, Tulsa; son Kirk Whitman, Edmond, OK, and five grandchildren: Katherine Perkins and husband Jordan of Denver, CO; Rebecca Robertson and husband Jace of Tulsa, Grayson Whitman and wife Stephanie of Dallas, TX, Kole Whitman of Edmond, OK and Kaden Whitman of Edmond, OK; great granddaughters, Parker Kirby and Riley Perkins and Sophia Whitman and great grandson Campbell Perkins. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews and wonderful friends.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the charity of choice.

There will be a celebration of life at the Memorial Park Cemetery Chapel at 10:00 am, Saturday, August 22, 2026.