Aurora M Whaley

We are saddened by the loss of our mother, Aurora Maria Whaley, an accomplished daughter, sister, mother, nurse, advocate for school improvement, patient care, and resisting and exposing corruption to eradicate it. She is survived by 3 children, Mary, Louis, and Amy, and by a grandchild, Samantha.

Born in South Texas, she showed academic prowess that she demonstrated for a state writing contest, and where she scored second statewide. She entered Seton Nursing School in Austin Texas, the first of her sisters to complete a professional degree, supported by her 6 siblings and parents, who pitched in to cover costs and keep her focused on becoming a nurse. Despite meeting resistance from racial bias, and despite challenging subject matter, she graduated with flying colors.

She started nursing in Mercy Hospital in Laredo, Texas, but eventually joined the Public Health Department of Texas (now the DSPS). Her many duties included house visits to economically disadvantaged families. She related many stories about her public health days, some of them cautionary tales and some hilarious.

During her time at Mercy Hospital, at her friend Candy’s insistence, she attended a party where she met a young Air Force jet engine mechanic in boots and a cowboy hat, Henry Whaley. Depending on the person telling the story, either she followed Henry around or he followed her around at the party until they agreed to date. Soon Henry was introduced to her family, who quickly endeared himself to her mother, Bruna Paredes-Ramirez, for his southern-fried chicken. She was then introduced to his family, who were quick to recognize her outgoing personality and friendliness, as well as to take advantage of her nursing acumen. They were wed on March 3, 1962, and she bore 4 children. While Henry was stationed at an airbase in Hawaii, and Aurora had two children in diapers and the third on the way, she became homesick and fed up with the lack of familial support. She relocated with her children to Laredo to obtain benefits from living near her family, like childcare. She became impatient with the speed at which Air Force bureaucrats were processing Henry’s request to join her and be stationed at Laredo Air Force base, so she wrote directly to President John F. Kennedy. The response was swift, and soon the paperwork was finished and Henry could join her in Laredo, soon afterward transitioning from the Air Force to the Civil Service but keeping the same title, pay and responsibilities.

While her children attended Farias Elementary School, she was alerted to the lack of temperature control in the classrooms (steaming hot in the summer and cold in the winter). She ran for and won the seat of President of the PTA. She campaigned for air conditioners and was instrumental in raising funds for the school. Farias was able to equip the classrooms with air conditioners thanks largely to her.

Later, upon the closing of Laredo Air Force base, at which Henry worked, she helped relocate the family to Shallowater, Texas. There she had a long career at the Lubbock State School, part of MHMR, which took care of wards of the state with severe disabilities. A lifelong advocate for workers, she joined the union. While at the LSS, she was a targeted by certain corrupt and highly-placed persons in the LSS administration who took note of her no-nonsense and honest approach to the rules and regulations of nursing, and while attempting to raise the level of care for disabled children and adults, she not only defeated mendacious charges of child abuse, but revealed to the union and state officials the illegitimate and underhanded dealings by corrupt individuals, essentially turning the tables on them and reversing the charges against her onto them. In her efforts and to reward her for her diligence and honesty, she shook hands with the governor and served as a witness to the crimes to strengthen the corruption case. After retirement she settled in a small town near Austin to enjoy life with Henry and two of her daughters.

Aurora with son, Louis

Left to right: Mary with date, father Henry and Jacqueline

Left to right, Louis, his daughter Samantha, Aurora

Aurora with friends Greystoke and Casper

Henry

Henry being cleaned up by Aurora

Aurora cradling Baby Gracie, her muse

Aurora on her work bike

Nursing friend (seated in chair) with Aurora (seated on table) at work.

Aurora’s brother (Santiago Ramirez) with bride (Sulemma)

Aurora and Henry on their wedding day.

Aurora, July 25, 2022