In Memory

Whitney Leigh French - Class Of 2002

Whitney Leigh French passed from this world on Sunday, February 26, 2017,in Charlottesville, Va., at age 33.

Whitney was born in Baton Rouge, La., the eldest of three children. As the family grew, they moved to Houston, Tex., Louisville, Ky., and to Charlottesville in 1998. She graduated from Albemarle High School in 2002,and earned a degree in Marketing from Virginia Tech in 2006.

Both analytical and creative, Whitney was the brilliant daughter of a scientist and an artist. She was recently named Senior Product Designer at WillowTree Inc, and worked as a designer at Birch Studios prior to that. She was eclectic in her many passions, which ranged from hiking, to sailing, and even goat hugging. To others, Whitney was a bright light with boundless spirit and will. Her unwavering enthusiasm and passion for life was a contagious inspiration to anyone she touched, especially her family. She was an impassioned activist, and often found herself in the position of ringleader. She showed a constant, caring concern for others, and was especially diligent at WillowTree where she helped to create a safe, just, and fair environment for her team.

She was a dutiful, loving daughter and sister; always running alongside her Dad in the Charlottesville 10-miler race, and supporting her siblings in their many creative endeavors. Although she left us too soon, Whitney always had her hands in something- she filled every moment of life with adventure and joy, and she spread that joy where ever she went.

Whitney is survived by her parents, Eileen and Brent French; her sister Lindsey; and her brother, Alexander who will carry her in their hearts forever.

Submitted by Allen Carver.