WHALEN, Joan
It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our beloved mother and Nana, Mary Helena Joan Whalen (Taylor) on December 26, 2023, at the age of 83, formerly of Marlbank, Kingston and White Lake, Erinsville, Ontario. The faithful wife of the late Harold Whalen, proud mother of Tim (Linda Wager), Barb (Dave Way), Bill (deceased 2018) and Patti Ann (Barry Whalen). Her dedication to family and love of life will live on through her granddaughters, Genevieve (Jenna) Joan Whalen, Shae-Lynn Way (Mitchell Merry), Taylor Whalen (Dylan Timlin) and Kallista Way (Kris Newlove), who adored her. Furr Momma to Mitsy. Remembered by Charlene Whalen. Mom was the youngest daughter of Richard Taylor III and Helena Gaffney, born September 19, 1940. Loving sister of deceased siblings Robert (infant), Richard (infant), Monica (Joe Hanley), Madeline (Bill Kirkpatrick), Eugene (Nancy), John (Helen) and Marion (Gerald Hunt). Sister-in-law of Glenn (Freda) Whalen, Eleanor Whalen, Linda Scott and Bonnie Whalen. Mom cherished her ancestry and always shared stories about her relatives, childhood and growing up in Marlbank. She treasured her relationships with her Kirkpatrick, Hunt, Hanley, Taylor and Whalen nieces and nephews who maintained contact with her through their visits, calls, cards and inquiries on how she was doing. Their concern for her speaks volumes of the character of people we come from and why Mom was so proud of her roots. Our family appreciated the support we received over the last 6 years from all members of the Healthcare teams in Tamworth, Napanee, Amherstview and Kingston. We were so fortunate to have received some of the most empathetic care during some of the most challenging times in the Healthcare system. Over the last two years, Mom so appreciated even your smallest gestures of care from a wave or ‘hello Joanie’ as you walked by her room, a quick stop to compliment her fascinator/hat of the day, when you took the time to answer her probing questions and when you shared a little more of yourself with her. Her dignity was maintained by your compassionate care during her failing health and especially in her palliative state. There are too many of you to thank personally, but you know who you are and we wanted you to know how much your acts of kindness meant to our mother, our family and all those you so empathetically care for. The same appreciation goes to Mom’s friends, former community members and neighbours who inquired about her after she left Erinsville. Mom was so thrilled to see some of her hats and her picture on display at Tamworth’s 175th Anniversary in June. We were pleased that the weather, air quality and her health permitted her to attend, see so many of her friends and bask in the glory of being labeled ‘The Hat Lady’. Mom was a faithful lifetime member of the Church of the Assumption where she received all her Sacraments, was married, was a proud 61 year member of the C.W.L. and enjoyed her choir family. She has come full-circle with her funeral Mass. Mom was a beacon of kindness and a good sense of humour, even when she was sick. She did her best to tolerate her pain and used her social skills to talk around and tolerate it. It was easy to care for someone so appreciative and with such a love of life. God bless you Mom. We hope there are hats in heaven! “Until we meet again, Mom!” The family will receive friends at the Hannah Funeral Home, in Tamworth (613-379-2997) on Friday, January 5, 2024 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at the Church of the Assumption in Erinsville on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. Inurnment at Assumption Cemetery Columbarium, followed by reception in the funeral home. Memorial donations made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada or the Church of the Assumption Building Fund would be appreciated by the family.
Online condolences at www.hannahfuneralhome.com