Mary Anne (Pfeiffer) Whalen died in Bakersfield, California on May 23, 2018. She was born on February 11 (Thomas Edison’s Birthday) 1943 in Springfield, MA. She moved to Broad Brook, Connecticut, her father’s hometown, a few years later. After graduating from East Windsor High School in 1961, she went to Saint Joseph’s College in West Hartford as a French major. She met her future husband, David Whalen, at a mixer there. She soon transferred to the University of Connecticut and became a Spanish major. She married David Whalen upon graduation—with honors—in 1965. She then followed him around the world. Her first airplane trip was to Japan with a one-year old in a body splint. Fortunately, she found out that she loved traveling. She lived in Japan, Florida, Massachusetts, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, California, India, and Hong Kong. She was delightful: sweet, tough (occasionally sarcastic), loving and always willing to help. She loved music! She joined a new church choir with every move. She joined a new Sweet Adeline choir with every move. Mary Anne also joined more classical and bel canto groups such as the American Women’s Choir in Hong Kong and the Washington Women’s Choir in DC. She sang around the world—including Ireland, New Zealand, and China. She sang in many venues, including the Kennedy Center. She was an avid reader—especially mysteries featuring women heroes.Mary Anne’s smile could light up the world. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, her sister Kathie Pfeiffer, her children: Jerry Whalen of Springfield, Missouri and Kate Gill of Bakersfield, as well as their spouses Jennifer Whalen and Louis Gill. She has six Grandchildren: Nolan, Anthony, Kiera, Bridget, Maille and Liam. Relatives and friends may join the family on Friday, June 8, 2018 from 5-7 pm at Bassinger & Dowd Funeral Home, 37 Gardner st, East Windsor, CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place Saturday, June 9, 2018 at 10:00 am at St. Catherine Church. She will be buried immediately following Mass at Saint Catherine’s Cemetery in Broad Brook, Connecticut where, as a child, she went to church, sang in the choir and married. For online condolences please visit www.pietrasfuneralhome.com

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