Whalen, Rita Thérèse [nee Vannier] – It is with profound sadness that the “Whalen Girls” must announce the passing of their mom Rita Whalen (Vannier) on Sunday April 25, 21.
Born in Charlton on May 5 1933 to the late Anoncéade Fortier and Ernest Vannier, Rita was raised in a large family with 11 siblings and was taught very early on that “family” was the most important thing in life. A trait she was very proud to have passed down generations. She was generous, kind and thoughtful and always had room for one more at the table.
At a young age, she was selected to move away to go to school with the Dionne Quintuplets, a friendship that remained throughout her life. She then continued her studies to become a Registered Nurse where she experienced her first Pandemic “polio”. Her nursing career is how she met the love of her life Steve Whalen. Together they began their family in North Bay then moved to Haileybury where they remained and raised their girls and became a part of a wonderful circle of friends. Together they built “Steve’s Food Market” a small town grocery store that helped a lot of people and taught their daughters what it was to be part of a community that always is there to help each other out in time of need. Through all of that, she continued nursing and ended her career caring for the elderly at the Temiskaming Lodge where her compassion and true kindness was on full display for all to see.
Rita was not only an amazing mom, but she was an amazing and loving Mémère, sister, aunt and friend.
Mom taught us to work hard, play hard, to be kind and above all else, family first!!
Predeceased by her loving husband of 55 years Steve Whalen and siblings Claire (Jack Belbeck), Anita (Henry Jensen), Hector, Jacques, Ernestine (John Charron), Guy (Theresa Watson), Francis (Rita Perreault), Jean Claude (Beatrice Desrosiers), Arlette (Olier Gravel), Louis (Paulette Leroux) and in laws Rodney Hamilton, Harold and Audrey Whalen, and Lloyd Whalen.
She will be fondly remembered by her daughters; Sharon (Bill Culhane), Patsy (Danny Watson), Johanne (Greg Beischer), Louise (Brad Knight) and CarolAnn (John Dickinson); grandchildren Greg (Amelia ) Watson, Josh Watson, Jordan (Beth) Watson, Kelsie (Ian Porter), Keegan Culhane, Nick Beischer, Jon Beischer, Ally Beischer, Mitchell Knight, Macey Culhane, Sydney Knight and Steven Dickinson, as well as 10 soon to be 11 great grandchildren and dear sister Patricia Hamilton. Also surviving are her loving in-laws Jack and his wife Betty Whalen, Arnold and his wife Shirley Whalen, Mary and her husband Fred Walton as well as many nieces and nephews.
A very special thanks to Dr. Don Davies and Dr. Philip Smith who were an amazing support and to the Timiskaming Hospital Staff who made her last days in the Palliative Suite comfortable.
Mrs Whalen’s memorial mass will take place at Holy Cross Catholic Church on Saturday July 9, 2022 at 11:00am. Interment will follow at the Haileybury Catholic cemetery. The family will host a reception at the Haileybury Golf Course from 1:00 – 3:00pm. All are invited. As an expression of sympathy, contributions in memory of Mrs Whalen can be made to the Temiskaming Hospital Palliative Care Program or to the Haileybury Heritage Museum. Condolences and contributions may be left at www.buffamleveille.com.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Rita Therese Whalen Vannier Sunday April 25th 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Haileybury, Province: Ontario