Sister Angeline "Angie" Whidden

WINDHAM - Sister Angeline "Angie" Whidden (formerly Sister M. Benedicta), 86, a Sister of Mercy for 68 years, died Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, after a long illness.

Sister Angie was born in Natick, Mass., and was a resident of Manchester when she entered the Sisters of Mercy. She was the daughter of Charles and Annie (Doherty) Whidden. Sister Angie held a B.A. degree in English from Mount St. Mary College in Hooksett, an M.A. in English from the University of New Hampshire in Durham, and an M.A. in catechetical theology from Manhattan College in New York City.

For more than 25 years, she was a teacher at elementary and secondary schools in New Hampshire. She taught at St. Raphael School in Manchester, St. Patrick School in Portsmouth, St. Joseph School in Keene, and St. Mary School in Claremont. She also taught English at Bishop Brady High School in Concord, and theology at Trinity High School in Manchester. Sister Angie served in the Justice and Peace Office of the Diocese of Manchester, where she was director of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. She was also the executive director of New Horizons for New Hampshire. She was instrumental in starting the New Horizons Soup Kitchen.

In 1993, Sister Angie became the first director of development for the New Hampshire Sisters of Mercy, a position she held from 1993-96. For a time she served in the pastoral care department of the Mount Carmel Nursing Home in Manchester. In May 1993, Sister Angie received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Notre Dame College in Manchester. The citation noted her work on behalf of hungry and homeless people by participating in the founding of New Horizons Soup Kitchen, and her efforts as an advocate for those in need. She also received awards from the Greater Manchester Association for Social Service Agencies, and from the New England Catholic Council for Social Ministries. In November 1997, Sister Angie received an award from New Horizons for New Hampshire in recognition of her role in starting the soup kitchen. In 2000, a house that serves as a refuge for Women seeking a better life was opened and named in her honor - Angie's Shelter. Also in 2000, Sister Angie was Grand Marshall of the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Manchester.

Family members include a sister, Annabel DeFreitis of Exeter, several nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Sister Angie was predeceased by a brother, Roy Whidden; and three sisters, Marian Lalime, Ruth Sourdif, and Francis Davis.

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services:Calling hours will be 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 22, at the Warde Health Center, 21 Searles Road, Windham. A Mass of Christian burial will follow at 11 a.m. in Our Lady of Mercy Chapel at Warde Health Center. Memorial donations may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, 21 Searles Road, P.O. Box 420, Windham, 03087-0420. Douglas & Johnson Funeral Home, 214 Main St., Salem, has care of the arrangements.