Mary Virginia Whealan (nee O'Connor), 85, passed away peacefully on April 8, 2020, after courageously battling a lengthy illness. Mary is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, William Michael Whealan, Jr., her five loving children, David Whealan (Maria), Bernadette Silverstein, John Whealan (Elysa Blacker), Paul Whealan, and Regina Smith (Peter), and seven adoring grandchildren, Benjamin Silverstein, Diana Whealan, Julia Whealan, Eamon Smith, Madeline Silverstein, Liam Smith, and Andrew Whealan, as well as her brother, Dr. Thomas F. O'Connor, nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. Mary is predeceased by her parents, Maria Weisler Linning O'Connor and Joseph Aloysius O'Connor,
her firstborn daughter, Mary Whealan, her brother, Bernard Joseph O'Connor, her sisters-in-law, Patricia T. O'Connor and Mary T. (Polly) O'Connor, and her niece, Claire E. O'Connor.

Mary was born in Bronxville, New York, at Lawrence Hospital, on September 12, 1934, to Maria Weisler Linning O'Connor and Joseph Aloysius O'Connor, their third child and first daughter. Mary attended the first Kindergarten class of Immaculate Conception School in Tuckahoe where, years later, she helped establish the school's first Pre-Kindergarten class, attended by her youngest child, Regina. All of Mary's children attended and graduated from ICS. As a child, Mary championed the cause of stray animals, and her heart remained available to anyone in need. Mary was a lifelong resident of Eastchester, New York, and parishioner of Immaculate Conception Church, who raised her family in her childhood home, under the shade of the oak tree her father planted. The daughter of a traveling salesman, Mary spent part of her elementary school years in Germantown, Pennsylvania, Port Chester, New York, and Bridgeport, Connecticut, and returned to Eastchester to graduate from Immaculate Conception School and St. Gabriel's High School.

Mary earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work from Marymount College, where she met her husband at a Valentine's Day dance. They married on August 18, 1956, and moved to Indiana, before making their permanent home in the Eastchester house Mary knew and loved.

Mary's family was her proudest accomplishment, whom she loved unconditionally, and who loved her back and appreciated her deeply. She raised a family successfully, with great love, and gave her full heart to her children every day. Mary always said she was proud of the everlasting lives she created, and with whom she shared her strong faith in God. Mary's spirituality guided everything she did, and she accepted and trusted God's plan for her. She was a lover of dogs her entire life, and cherished her pets over her lifetime, Cokie, Felix, Sasha and Champ.

Mary was an active member of her community, volunteering at school and church, and generously reaching out to neighbors, family, and friends to provide care and support. She could often be seen riding her bicycle through her neighborhood, with baskets full of groceries, providing for those she loved. Mary worked at her brother's medical practice, and at local establishments, to help fund her children's education, and often invited her children to share in the work and benefit from free doughnuts at the end of a day. She modeled responsibility and gravitated to others in need, and gave until she was expended, throughout her life. Mary enjoyed music and dancing, and instilled that in her family. She was light of heart and light footed, whether at a formal dance or in the sanctity of her own kitchen. She loved to cook, bake and garden with her grandchildren, attend their sporting events, recitals, and concerts, and celebrate their every accomplishment.

There will be a Mass of the Eucharist offered at a later date in celebration of Mary's life. Donations can be made to Calvary Hospital, 1740 Eastchester Road, Bronx, NY 10461, https://www.calvaryhospital.org/ways-to-give