- Date Of Birth: March 1, 1941
- Date Of Death: July 7, 2016
- State: Maryland
Whalen, Martha A.
On July 7, 2016 Martha A Whalen (née Janssens). Beloved wife of the late Daniel W. Whalen. Dear sister of the late Teresa Brown. Cherished Aunt to numerous nieces, nephews and survived by one grand-daughter Marin Schmidt and other loving friends.
Below is a request by Mrs. Whalen and her family.
On the day of the Gala, in celebration of the 125th anniversary of Saint Athanasius, Martha Whalen dictated these words to her niece Tracey Schmidt. Martha asked Tracey to read the following to her dear friends at the Gala. Martha was a member of St A’s for 35 years.
“All of you know how much I love you and the Parishes of Saint Rose of Lima and Saint Athanasius.
I just want you to realize what it means to me about this treasured day. My father, Charles Janssens, and all his siblings were christened at the chapel. My dad was born in 1899.
A priest friend of the family introduced my mother and father to each other at Saint Rose of Lima. My mom was born in 1902.
There has always been a relationship with both parishes, because of how it put my family together. I love and respect both parishes.
On the subject of babies… When my sister passed away in 2005, a few years later, my sister’s oldest son Steve, and his lovely wife Tracey, were expecting. They called Me saying the baby doesn’t have a maternal grandmother. I said, “Let it be me!”
I’ve had 16 godchildren and I wanted to be a grandma my whole life… especially because my sister took care of me my whole life. She is my reason for never taking a negative path. This is the day I looked forward to for so long. And then health issues put a lot of worries that I wouldn’t get to see my friends again.
Our dear Lord and Savior has complete charge… He knew the day I was coming and he knows my departure date. I could not take him out of the mix… I’ve prayed to him all of my life.
Giving it to God and being with so many others who have gone before me… Is something that I am not afraid of. We never know when that day is coming… And that is for everyone, not just someone who has an illness.
I need you to know that I love and cherish each and everyone of you. When you feel a breath hit your face, it’s just me saying hello. Remember two important things:
Is a prayer that I say daily, given by Father Brendan Carr who just went to the other side. God will make a way when there seems to be no way, He works in ways we cannot see, God will make a way for thee.
Also never forget… Life doesn’t end… It just changes.
My Schmidt family was able to come here and attend this most special evening and you all got to see my beautiful granddaughter Marin, she looks like my sister Teresa and her Dad, Steve.
Steve was my ringbearer in 1962 at my wedding. One of my favorite days is October 27 that’s my granddaughter’s birthday.
Dear Friends, this is not goodbye, this is, I’ll see you later.”
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