Rebecca R. "Becky" "Becky" Whalen DeSantis

Rebecca R. (Whalen) DeSantis, 61, passed away peacefully on Friday August 8, 2025, at the Kaplan Hospice House in Danvers on Friday, August 8, 2025, with her loving and devoted family at her side.

Born in Danvers, Rebecca was the daughter of the late Richard and Arlene (White) Whalen. Rebecca (Becky) attended Danvers High School and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She worked in the hospitality business until her retirement.

Becky had many interests such as painting, crafts, playing cards, writing poetry, and gardening. She also loved country music, one of her biggest thrills was winning a radio contest to see Garth Brooks where she was able to have a private meet and greet with him. She was also especially fond of George Strait, and spent many days listening to his music. His voice reached and revived her during her prolonged hospital stays giving her great comfort.

Becky was an avid nature lover. One of her greatest joys was spending time in her vegetable garden. She raised heirloom tomatoes and would collect the seeds from her favorite Brandy Wine, Mortgage Lifter and Sweet Million plants to be used the next year. As a young girl, she took art lessons and she loved to paint still life and landscapes. Becky also enjoyed horseback riding. She loved animals and at one point had a pet store with her late husband, Anthony DeSantis.

In the last few years, she was able to spend time travelling with her sister and brother-in-law to places like the Bahamas, Las Vegas, a cruise of the Caribbean and trips to Maine. She loved to walk the back shore in Gloucester and enjoyed time on whale watching trips and sailing.

Becky is survived by her daughter, Lindsay Mills and son, Philip Mills; her sister, Sharon DeChiara of Gloucester; her brother-in-law Michael DeChiara; and her sister-in-law, Kathleen Whalen of Holliston. In addition to her parents, Becky was predeceased by her brother Patrick Whalen.

Services will be held privately. She will be interred in Steuben, Maine with her parents, her brother, her grandparents and great grandparents.

The family would like to thank the staff at Senior Care who made it possible for her to stay in her home, and her friends at Pigeon Cove Ledges for their friendship and support, as well as all of her friends and family who supported her especially during the last few months. Special thanks also to the staff at Oceanside Rehab for the care she was given during her illness and to the staff at Care Dimensions and the Kaplan Hospice House who made her final days comfortable.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to the Steuben Village Cemetery Association. Donations can be sent to Steuben Village Cemetery Association, c/o Teresa Ginn, 165 East Side Steuben, ME 04680.