Anne Sherry Whalen, 87, of Canton, died Tuesday evening, August 11th, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.
Anne was born on March 15, 1933, in Ogdensburg, the middle of five daughters born to Michael and Mary Adelaide (LaVenture) Sherry of Ogdensburg. She graduated from St. Mary’s Academy, Ogdensburg, in 1951 and received her Bachelor’s degree from Plattsburgh State Teachers College. Anne then taught for both the Canojoharie and Knox Memorial Central Schools.
On June 21st, 1958, Anne married Gerald Whalen, of Canton, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Ogdensburg. In the early years of their marriage, Anne devoted her time to raising their children. She began her early education career in 1970 at Canton’s St. Mary’s Parochial School teaching Kindergarten. She later returned to graduate school and completed her Master’s degree in Education at Potsdam State University in 1972. In 1986, she joined Edwards-Knox Central School as a Pre-First Grade teacher. Anne joined her husband in retirement in 1996.
Anne was devoted to her family, her Roman Catholic faith, and the North Country community. She loved her home in Canton, where she often hosted family reunions with her sisters and their families, which included 20 nieces and nephews.
During Anne’s younger years, she spent summers working at the Lake Placid Club on Mirror Lake in Lake Placid and at Santa’s Workshop in Wilmington. In her retirement years, Anne regularly traveled to the Boston, Rochester, and Dallas areas, to visit her children and her sisters.
Anne is survived by: her husband, Gerald; son Tim of Swampscott, MA; daughter Martha of Canton; daughter Cathy (James) Hallas of Allen, TX; her grandchildren, Laura and Tom; her sisters: Jean Geraghty of Davenport, IA, Martha (Robert) Spooner of Covington, LA, and Joan (Ronald) Savino of West Henrietta, NY; and brother-in-law Terrance Wagner of Rowlett, TX.
Anne was predeceased by: her parents, Michael and Mary Adelaide Sherry; a brother, Joseph, who died at birth; her sister, Mary Sherry Wagner who passed away in 2009; and a brother-in-law, Michael Geraghty, who died in 2012.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of St. Lawrence Valley or St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Canton.
Calling hours for Anne will be held on Tuesday, August 18, 2020 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the O’Leary Funeral Home, Canton. A Memorial Mass will be held on Wednesday, August 19, 2020 at 10:00am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Court Street; Canton with Father Bryan Stitt, Pastor celebrating.
Memories and condolences are encouraged at www.olearyfuneralservice.com. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Anne S. Whalen please visit our Tribute Store.