Mary F. R. Whalen

On Tuesday, January 29, 2019, Mary Frances Whalen, 67, of Bowie, Maryland passed away peacefully with her family by her side.

Mary was born in Washington, D.C. on January 31, 1951 to Vernon Edward and Dorothy Elizabeth (Webster) Reed. She grew up in Seabrook, Maryland and graduated from DuVal Senior High School. There she was known for her gregariousness, infectious laughter and commitment to helping others. These became lifelong attributes.

Mary was admired for her beautiful voice and her love of music ranging from Bach to Broadway to The Beach Boys. She was honored to represent DuVal as a member of The Madrigals, the school’s elite vocal music group. Years later Philip Edward Whalen, a classmate, became her loving husband of 25 years after they reconnected at a class reunion.

Mary retired in 2014 from a successful career of more than 35 years as a legal secretary and paralegal at law firms in Washington, D.C. including Elias and Matz LLP, Paul Hastings LLP and Latham and Watkins LLP.

Mary’s hobbies were varied. She loved gardening. Her neighbors envied her year round blooming creations of lilacs, azaleas and perennials. She enjoyed reading, whether historical fiction, romance or a John Grisham thriller. She was an avid film buff and especially loved classic films and westerns. Ask a trivia question about “The Movies” and Mary knew the answer. She enjoyed researching her family genealogy and treasured vintage family photos. She also loved the quest for other “treasures” she found at estate and yard sales. She had an eye for pretty and unusual objects which she would “pick” and pass along to family and friends. 

If there were a party, Mary was there. She loved people and socializing, especially with  her family.  Holiday gatherings and card games with her grandchildren were favorites.  Most of all Mary enjoyed spending time with Phil. They enjoyed bowling, attending Bowie Baysox games, rooting for The Washington Nationals, traveling to Seabees’ reunions, and cruising about town in Phil’s vintage truck to The Asphalt Angels’ car shows and events.

Mary was preceded in death by her father, Vernon Edward Reed, in 2009. She is survived by her mother, Dorothy Elizabeth Reed, her husband, Philip Edward Whalen, her sisters Verna Jane Spivey, Elizabeth Ann (Charles) Milbourne, and Helen Ilene DeSimone, her son John Lawrence (Marybeth) Powers, Jr., her step-children Melissa Lynn Phillipe and Wesley Christopher Whalen, her grandchildren James and Stephanie Powers and numerous beloved nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Family will receive friends on Sunday, February 3, 2019 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Beall Funeral Home, 6512 NW Crain Hwy. (Rt. 3 South), Bowie, MD. There will be a visitation at Holy Family Catholic Church, 12010 Woodmore Road, Mitchellville, MD on Monday February 4, 2019 10am to 11am followed by a funeral mass at 11am. Interment private.