Joan M Whalen

Joan Mary (Gannon) Whalen passed away on Wednesday, March 13,2024 surrounded by her loving family after a lengthyillness. Born in Flushing, New York on October 12,1932 to the late Leo & Hilda (Greifeld) Gannon, Joan grew up in West Roxbury, MA and graduated from Roslindale High School in 1950. After graduating, she worked in the insurance industry.

She married the love of her life Arthur “Cookie” Whalen on September 17,1955 at St. Theresa Church in West Roxbury, MA. Joan & Cookie moved to Abington in 1957, where they raised their six children.  She was a communicate of St Bridget’s Church. She worked at the Little League snack shack, while her sons’ played baseball. When her children were older, she went to work for Dillon Laboratories and the Pool Place/Christmas Place in Abington. After retiring, she looked forward to going to Florida for the winter months, where she met many friends.

She loved Christmas, which she showered her family with gifts and played games with her grandchildren. She loved going to her grandchildren’s school and sport events. She was an amazing baker; she made wedding cakes for her children’sweddings and every year she would bake her children and grandchildren their favorite cake for their birthday.  She looked forward to the spring so she could go outside and do her gardening, or as she put it “cleaning the woods”. She enjoyedspending time at Nantasket Beach, Jenkins Pond and her backyard in the summer with her family. 

She was predeceased by her husband, Arthur “Cookie” Whalen. She is survived by her loving children, Robert Whalen & his wife, Pamela of Pembroke, MA, James Whalen & his wife, Joyce of Cape Coral, FL, Jean Whalen-Lawrence & her husband, David of Abington, MA, Paul Whalen & his wife, Marlyss of Pembroke, MA, Kevin Whalen & his wife, Sue of Abington, MA and Shawn Whalen of Abington, MA.  Herbeloved grandchildren, Kerry & Gabe, Neil & Lauren, Will, Lucy, Jamie & Mark, Brian, Mirella, Jennifer, Julie, Joseph & Molly, Brendan, Brittany & Peter, Maisie, Michael, Marie & Charlie. Her cherished great grandchildren Luc, Grace, Claire, Connor, Zoe & Austin. She’s survived by her brother, William Gannon of Port Charlotte, FL, her sister, Barbara Mullane of Yarmouth Port, MA and her brother-in- law Stephen Scully of Rockledge, FL. She is survived by many nieces and nephews and dear friends. She was predeceased by her precious angel grandson, Colin. She is also predeceased by her siblings, Marie Scully, Patricia Gannon & Leo Gannon.  We would like to thank Joy, Kathy and the Care Hospice for their kindness and support during this time.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday March 19, at the Quealy & Son Funeral Home, 116 Adams Street, Abington from 4pm to 8pm. Funeral Mass held Wednesday at 10:30am in St. Bridget Church, Abington Interment St. Patrick Cemetery, Rockland.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Bridget’s Church 455 Plymouth Street Abington, MA  02351 or Care Hospice Service 1208A VFW Parkway, West Roxbury, MA 02332

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