Obituary of Mary Jo Whalen

Canton, NY-

Mary J. Whalen  

It is with deep sadness the family of Mary Whalen bids their Aunt farewell on the morning of September 5, 2024 as she embarks on her final journey reuniting her with her parents and beloved brother.  In her extraordinary lifetime, Mary traveled the world, exploring each of the seven continents often including family in her adventures and many times with a horse or canoe in tow.
Mary Josephine Whalen was born on June 8, 1928 in Canton, NY to Fleeta Arlina Powers and Charles John Whalen both natives of Gouverneur. With her older brother Robert leading the way she quickly became the outdoor lover and nature enthusiast she would remain for the rest of her life.

Mary attended Canton schools and upon her high school graduation enrolled at St. Lawrence University. She graduated from SLU in 1949. This past spring she attended her 75th College Reunion and was the oldest Alumni in attendance. Her support and love for her Alma Mater continued throughout her lifetime. As the owner of Whalen House, a Bed and Breakfast she operated in her Canton home, she hosted many SLU families and many hockey parents as part of her devotion to the Hockey Boosters. As recently as last season she could be seen in the stands in her reserved seat at the SLU Hockey Games walking the loop between periods.

Following graduation, Mary began a teaching career that touched the lives of many elementary age students and later many struggling with reading. Her career started in a reform school for girls eventually leading her back to Canton where she found her calling teaching in elementary grades and later remedial reading. She continued her education receiving a Masters in Education at SUNY Potsdam and later a Masters from Syracuse University with a specialty in Reading Skills. In recognition of her accomplishments in teaching, Mary was invited to join the Delta Kappa Gamma International Society for Key Women in Education, a group she in which she made many great friends and continued an active membership in for over fifty years. When asked, she described one of the high points of her teaching career as the years she was the first ever Coach of the Canton High School Women’s Swim Team. She thoroughly enjoyed coaching the team and leading them through several successful championship seasons. The CHS girls were not the only ones who benefitted from her coaching skills, over the years she taught hundreds of Sylvia Lake kids to swim. In her younger years she spent a few summers as waterfront director at 4H Camp Overlook in Owl’s Head, NY.

Her love of outdoor sports began early on swimming with her brother at Sylvia Lake where she grew up spending summers. She loved canoeing and snow skiing in the winters. At college she took up horseback riding and judging from the wall of ribbons at Sylvia Lake she was pretty good at it. Her love of riding and travel took her on horseback adventures throughout Montana and other western states and a couple of Ireland tours.

Mary loved reading, mostly biographies, history and nature. A life long learner she was an active member of SOAR and presented many programs over the years and attended many others well into her nineties. Her curiosity about our local history and of the Adirondacks meshed well with her commitment to her community. When the vision to create the Silas Wright Museum came to fruition, Mary was there with sweat equity as well as financial support. She was a lifelong supporter of AARCH a group that actively supports the preservation of Adirondack architecture and history. She was a charter member and early supporter of the Wild Center in Tupper Lake. Locally she was one of the first members to sign up for what became a large contingent of adult skaters when the St. Lawrence Figure Skating Club was founded in 1953. Her legacy in the community can be seen everywhere.  The tradition of flowers on the lamp posts in the village was started during one of the many years she served as President of the Canton Garden Club. During those years many of the heirloom trees at the Silas Wright Cemetery and the Buck Street Playground were planted. The Blue Star Plaque in front of the Municipal Building acknowledging Blue Star families for their sacrifice was largely due to her efforts. The Canton Study Club is a group close to her heart and she faithfully served as President and then Historian for many years. These are just of few highlights from her busy and productive life. Mary was never one to say no to an adventure an outing or a cup of coffee with her one or two or more of her many friends. Her presence in our lives will be sorely missed.

Mary truly loved her family and was always generous in sharing her spirit, adventures and talents. She is survived by her nieces and nephews Cathy (Joe) Siematkowski, Joanne (Bruce) Shick, Don (Joanne) Whalen, Mike Whalen (deceased), Roberta (Jim) Yaeger and Julie (Brad) Catling, nine grand nieces and nephews and five great grand nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to pay respects to Mary’s life at the Lawrence Funeral Home on Monday from 3:30-6:30. A private funeral will be held on Tuesday morning with Rev. Michael Catanzaro officiating. Burial will follow in the family lot in Riverside Cemetery in Gouverneur. 

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared with the family by visiting www.lawrencefuneralhome.org