Genevieve M. Whalen

Whalen, Genevieve M.
Belfast, NY: Genevieve M. Whalen, 89, died Thursday, November 29, 2007, at Jones Memorial Hospital, Wellsville, following a brief illness. She was born October 6, 1918, in Caneadea, the daughter of Jesse and Sarah Smith. On November 25, 1937, at St. Patrick's Church in Belfast, NY, she married Clarence S. Whalen, who died March 10, 1991.
Gen resided most of her life in Belfast and was a graduate of Painted Post High School Class of 1936. Later she attended beauty school to learn hairdressing and owned and operated a beauty shop in Belfast. Gen was a member of St. Patrick's Church, where for 40 years she played organ and sang masses, was a member of its Altar and Rosary Society, and was awarded the St. Joseph's Worker Award by the Bishop Head of the Buffalo Diocese. She was a member of the DOUV Tent 56 (formerly Tent 100), past member of the Belfast Central School Board, Belfast Leisure Club, Hawthorne Club, Home Bureau, Crafty Belles, and served as Elections Inspector for the Town of Belfast for many years.
She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, and playing cards.
Surviving are a son, Stephen J. (Linda) Whalen of Arlington Heights, IL; two daughters, Margaret S. (Albert) Strittmather of Belmont, NY, and Cecilia A. (David) Hahn of LeRoy; a daughter-in-law, Margaret Whalen of Elba; grandchildren, William "Bill" (Kelly) Hahn of LeRoy, Linda (Jason) Tomporowski of Batavia, Kim (Jerry) McMahon and Brenda (Geir) Stenshagen, of Rochester, Kevin (Bernadette) Whalen of Cameron Park, CA, Cristin (Bernie) Finch, of Rochester, Jenny (Robert) Garippo, Stephanie (Ed Suh) Whalen; and 13 great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, grandnieces & grandnephews.
In addition to her husband, she was also predeceased by a son, Joseph M. Whalen; a brother, Silas Smith; and 2 sisters, Helen Booth and Edith Sherwood.
Friends may call at the Treusdell Funeral Home, 65 Main St., Belfast, from 3:00 - 8:00 PM Sunday. Funeral services will be Monday, December 3, 2007, beginning with prayers at the funeral home at 10:30 AM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM at St. Patrick's Church in Belfast. The Rev. Dennis Mancuso, pastor, will be celebrant, and burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Belfast.
A Rosary will be recited at 7:00 PM Sunday in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Belfast Rescue Squad.