Leclair Christine Whalen

Mrs. Leclair Christine Haner Whalen, 85, of Frederick, died on Saturday, February 18, 2006, at Kline Hospice House, Mt. Airy. She was preceded in death by her husband John Thomas Whalen, Jr. they were married 52 years in Richmond Hill, Long Island, NY. Mrs. Whalen was born on April 20, 1920 in Reistertown, she was the daughter of the late Louis Victor Leclair Haner and Agatha Schlotter Haner Hanratty and step-daughter of Thomas Hanratty. She is the last of her immediate family. Leclair was a homemaker her entire married life but worked as a hairdresser and for Bulova Watch Company prior to her marriage. She lived with her family in New York, California, Maryland, New Jersey and Virginia, accompanying her husband John as he advanced his career as an engineer. Mrs. Whalen moved to Frederick 4 years ago, she resided at Sommerford Assisted Living for 2 months, and at Country Meadows Assisted Living for the past 4 years. She was a member of St. Christopher?s Episcopal Church in Portsmouth, VA and attended All Saints Episcopal Church in Frederick, MD. Leclair developed many talents throughout her life including cooking, sewing, gardening, knitting and crocheting. She and her husband John, had a garden wherever they made their home where they canned and froze their crops. Leclair also used her cooking talents at many church suppers and made kneeling cushions for her church. After John?s retirement from the Navy Dept., they refinished and re-upholstered furniture. Leclair was also a Girl Scout Leader, a Vestry and Altar Guild member at St. Christopher?s and active in the Order of the Eastern Star. She also supported programs for the disabled and Special Olympics. Surviving are 4 daughters: Arlene C. Kuhn of Frederick, Elizabeth Slojewski and husband Paul of Pennsauken, NJ, Frances Whalen and husband Jim of Gaithersburg and Leclair C. Whalen of Frederick; a son, John T. Whalen, III of OH; 13 grandchildren: George Kuhn, Christiansburg, VA, Denise Kuhn, Sabillasville, MD, Christine Spinelli, Trenton, NJ, Kelly, Debbie, John Thomas, IV and David Whalen all of Georgia, Kimberly, Ryan and Jennifer Repass all of North Carolina, Danielle, John and David Whalen all of Baltimore; 20 great grandchildren; a great-great grandson; a sister-in-law, Jean D. Whalen of Hicksville, NY; and 7 nieces and nephews in New York.. A funeral service will be held at 2:00p.m. Thursday, February 23, 2006 at St. Christopher?s Episcopal Church by Rev. Eileen Walsh. Burial will take place at a later date in Long Island, New York. Memorial contributions may be made to Community Living, Inc., Research Dr., Frederick, MD 21703. Loving Funeral Home, Churchland Chapel is handling the arrangements.

Leclair Christine Whalen

April 20, 1920 - February 19, 2006