Congratulations to Henry (Hank) and Diane Whiffen on their 50th Wedding Anniversary. This milestone was reached on March 23, 2008. They have 6 children, Lorrie, Michael, Keri, Tami, Brett and Sean. They also have 27 grandchildren.

Mom grew up in a very nice, highly respected upper middle class family in Concord, California (a suburb of San Francisco), where her dad was a pharmacist and owner of a chain of drugstores. Very popular, Mom was a student body officer in her high school, and was steadily dating the incoming student body president of the neighboring high school who was also quarterback and captain of the football team.

Dad grew up in a government housing project for low income families in East Oakland, where his family was on welfare. He was in trouble a lot, branded incorrigible by the courts, and was nearly a high school dropout. These issues, plus a dysfunctional family resulted in his (and his sisters) being placed in a series of foster homes. The last foster home for him was in Concord, where he met Mom at high school and won her heart, and she helped turn his life around.

They married while attending BYU, where Mom was an excellent student (Elementary Education) a dancer (first ballet then modern) and also organizer of the Preference Ball. Dad was a member of the Athenian Social Unit, Intramural Welterweight Boxing Champion, and Cosmo ('56-57).

Complications with the birth of their first child and the financial strain accompanying this prompted them to return to California where Dad could earn more money while continuing his schooling. He finished with a Bachelors Degree in Business and Accounting and a Masters in Finance and Financial Services.

Mom has been an amazing caregiver for the entire family, including for her mother who suffered from Alzheimer's for ten years. Always very active, Mom's Church experience has included being a Relief Society President, Primary President, RS Counselor, and teacher, and having a very generous and sympathetic heart to anyone in need.

Dad has spent his career helping wealthy families with their estate planning, saving them huge amounts of taxes and redirecting over $3 Billion of these savings to charity. He now speaks to professional groups throughout the U.S. He too has been very active in church, serving as a Bishop twice, on four high councils, in a Stake Presidency, and is now serving a mission with LDS Philanthropies, where they use him as a specialist to help successful families with their planning.

We've seen many marriages, but never a closer or happier one.

OPEN HOUSE

The Whiffen children are pleased to be hosting an open house in their honor, and invite all friends (new and old) to join us on July 5, from 1 to 4:00 p.m. at their home, 904 S 725 W, Orem. No gifts please.