Redmond triplets remember their selfless mother

REDMOND — For Alex and Katie Whitaker, the basketball court provides a temporary escape.

It is an escape from grief.

It is an escape from heartache.

It is an escape from the reality that their mother is gone.

Sally Whitaker died Jan. 25 after a long battle with ovarian cancer. She was 53. Standing on the Redmond High School basketball court early this week, her children described a selfless woman, the kind of person who would be the first to volunteer for the PTSA or the family's church in Bellevue.

"She was a miracle worker," said Alex, whose team honored his mother Tuesday on Senior Night. "She would always help out when needed. She would always volunteer for everything. She just couldn't say no to anything. If someone asked her to do something, she would say yes, even if she had a full schedule."

Added Katie, "My mom was probably the most loving person you could ever meet. She loved everyone she met. She was never mean to anybody. She always put on a smile for everyone."

Alex, Katie and their brother, Ben, are triplets who will celebrate their 18th birthday Friday. Alex and Katie play basketball for the Mustangs, while Ben plays golf.

These days, their thoughts revolve around their mother.

Katie will never forget the 4 a.m. text message she received from her father, Mickey, in late January. The words didn't seem real. She didn't think she could make it through the school day. But when she showed up for basketball practice, her teammates were there for her. They made her laugh, easing the pain for a few hours.

"It was my life saver that day to come here and play and forget about everything," she said.

Sally was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer during the triplets' sophomore year, right before the start of basketball season. It remains a this-can't-be-happening-to-us moment. The cancer went into remission several times before returning two months ago.

Katie described the last two months as "horrible," while Alex still struggles to find the right words for what happened. It still doesn't seem real, but the support of their family and the community helps.

The day after Sally's death, Alex scored a career-high 14 points in a win over Roosevelt. It was a tribute to his mother.

"I know she was helping him in some way get all those points, but he was doing it for her, too," Katie said.

Before girls basketball games, Redmond players write "SW" on their arms and have teal ribbons on their shoes. On Tuesday night, the boys team celebrated Senior Night before the Mustangs' game against Skyline. They warmed up in black T-shirts with teal ribbons printed on the back.

Under the ribbons was one word, "Sally."

When Alex was introduced, the crowd gave the family a standing ovation as they walked out to midcourt. It was an emotional moment, a chance for the community and a team to show support for a grieving family.

It was one more chance to say goodbye to a woman who was always there when her family needed her.

Mason Kelley: 206-464-8277 or mkelley@seattletimes.com