Katherine M. Whalen

Katherine M. Whalen ABINGTON Katherine M. (Howley) Whalen, 73, of Abington, died Thursday, Sept. 18, at South Shore Hospital, after a period of failing health. She was the wife of the late Ralph Skip Whalen. Katherine was born in Boston and bought up in Dorchester, daughter of the late Thomas F. and Delia M. (Noone) Howley. She was a graduate of the Archbishop Cushing High School. Katherine worked for New England Tel & Tel, South Shore Hospital and then as a manager for Bradlees. She had been a resident of Abington for the past 43 years and a member of the Abington Senior Housing. She is survived by her son, Thomas F. Whalen of Wakefield; and her daughter, Eileen Burgess of Kingston; her brothers and sisters, Thomas F. Howley of Braintree, Eileen P. McKendry of Boston and Mary T. LaPoint of Naples, Fla.; her grandchildren, Nicole, Matthew and Melissa Burgess and Kyle Whalen; also one nephew; and her Cape Cod friends. Her services will be held Tuesday, Sept. 23, at 8:15 a.m. from the Blanchard Funeral Chapel, Plymouth Street (Rte. 58 at the rotary), Whitman, followed by a funeral Mass in the St. Bridget Church, Abington. Interment will follow in the Fern Hill Cemetery, Hanson. Visiting hours will be Monday, Sept. 22, from 4-8 p.m. Donations may be made in her name to the American Lung Assoc., 460 Totten Pond Road, Suite 400, Waltham, MA 02451. For online condolences and directions, please visit www.blanchardfc.com.