Blanche Ellen Gunn Whalen, 75, currently residing in Summerfield FL and formerly of 114 Brown Blvd, Brownville, NY, passed February 22, 2013 at The Villages Regional Medical Center.

Born on June 3, 1937, the daughter of Frank and Caroline Smithers Gunn, she graduated from Brownville-Glen Park Central School class of 1954.

She married William J Whalen on November 17, 1956 where she went on to be a wife, mother of her 3 children, Jay, Jana, and Julie. After being a remarkable stay at home mother, she reentered the work force as a bank teller for Watertown Savings Bank. Mrs. Whalen subsequently ended her career with the Jefferson County Social Services. After retirement, Blanche and her husband took on new endeavors by managing Ocean Club South in New Smyrna, FL.

Blanche’s Favorite hobbies included: baking, playing bridge, tennis, and working on her computer. Most importantly, Blanche was a shopping aficionado. Blanche’s greatest passion in life was her devotion to her loving family. As the matriarch of her large family, Blanche had an extraordinary ability to ensure that her husband, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren received the personal attention they needed.

Among her survivors are her loving husband of 56 years, William Whalen, Summerfield, FL and formerly of Brownville, NY; her two daughters, Jana and Julie Whalen of Denver, CO; two brothers and sister-in-law, John Gunn, Herold and Ann Gunn all of Brownville; two brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Edward, Robert, and Jean Whalen; two grandsons, Jason Whalen, Brownville and William Whalen, Stephens City, VA; two granddaughters. Cassandra Shuler, Chaumont and Chelsea Ainsworth, Depauville; 7 great-grand children; several nieces and nephews.

A son, Jay Whalen and a brother, Frank Gunn died before her.

A funeral mass will be said 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 28 at the Sacred Heart Church. Burial will take place in the spring at the Brownville Cemetery.

Calling hours will precede the mass Thursday from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and a prayer will be said at 10:30 a.m. at the Hart & Bruce Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Associations @ Mohawk Valley Regional Office 258 Genesee Street, Suite 509 Utica, NY 13502.

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