Obituary of Arlene Isabelle Whalen

Arlene Isabelle Whalen, age 99, of Mt. Morris died Sunday, June 12, 2016 at her home in Mt. Morris. The funeral service will take place 1:00 pm, June 16, 2016 at the Martin Funeral Home in Mt. Morris. Arlene’s family will be present to receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, from 12:00 noon until 8:00 pm; Thursday, from 11:00 am until the time of service at 1:00 pm; with burial to follow at Flint Memorial Park. Arlene was born September 4, 1916 in Thetford Twp., the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Ray and Grace (Newman) Green. Arlene graduated from EAJ High School in Mt. Morris, Class of 1934. From there she would continue her education at Baker Business School. She married Francis Whalen in June of 1943, at Fort Custer in Michigan. Sadly, he preceded her in death in 1983. She was employed by Dupont as a Clerk for 15 years until 1952. In her free time Arlene enjoyed spending time with family, friends, and pets. She loved to be outdoors often and would take weekly trips to the local library to play card games with her friends. In the spring she'd fill her flower box with colorful plants and vegetables. She had fun hosting Euchre and Pinochle parties even when she got the booby. A few other hobbies were working crossword puzzles, reading newpapers, national geographics, mysteries and love stories. She liked crocheting gifts, china painting, and collecting elephants and antiques. She was fond of her typewriter and keeping in touch with loved ones. Nana was very kind and loving where she would start to dance and act funny if someone was having a rough day to get them to smile. She was always giving out chocolate, cookies and hugs. She loved cooking and sharing meals at home, sometimes with the tv off and sometimes with it on turned up loud to watch Nick at Night, the Price is Right or laugh at Judge Judy. She was also a lifetime member of the Order of the Eastern Star Vienna Chapter 283 in Clio. Left to cherish her memory: son, Mark Whalen; grandchildren: Susan Whalen, Julie and husband, James McAlister, and Michael Whalen; great-grandchildren: Addie, Ainsley and one on the way. Arlene was preceded in death by her parents, husband Frances, sister Beatrice, three brothers: Gordon, Bernard and Keith Green, grandson Matthew Whalen, nieces Lillian Robinson, Joyce Miller, Beatrice Brock, Edna Carlson, and Marie Eddy, as well as nephew Andrew Green and special nephew Carl Green. Arlene’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the Alzheimer's Association, Family Services Agency, McLaren Hospice, Genesee District Library, and our gracious relatives, friends, neighbors and nurses.