Whalen, Ellen Scanlon (Bunce) 1844-1937

WHALEN, BUNCE, SCANLON, ENRIGHT, MCCAULEY, REGAN

Posted By: Matthew Whalen (email)
Date: 4/11/2015 at 14:03:04

Mrs. Whalen, Here 60 years, Buried Monday

93 Year-old Lady Died Saturday Of Complications Following Fall June 12.

Mrs. Peter Whalen was buried Monday morning, August 9th from St. Benedict’s Catholic church. Her death resulted from complications that developed after a fall she had June 12th, while making her small daily inspection of her garden.

For a short time she seemed to gain but since June 19th she had grown weaker and died at her home at 810 Maple Ave., Decorah, Saturday at 12:40, aged 93 years, 5 months, and 15 days.

The funeral Mass was read by Rev. M. A. Nolan; the pallbearers were Messr.s W. P. Ronan, Leo Ronan, Walter Rooney, Irvin Stadle, Dr. J. P. Malloy of Castalia and Robert Hutchinson. The only out of town relatives in attendance were Mr. and Mrs. P. J. McCauley of Lycurgus. Mrs. McCauley was Mr. Whalen’s niece and a sister of the late Father Whalen.

Ellen Scanlon Bunce (the last survivor of a large family) was the eldest of fifteen children born in Ireland to Patrick and Mary Bunce at Barraguogeen, Newton Sands, County Kerry, in a lovely country near the mouth of the River Shannon and the sea.

In 1865 she came to the United States to her uncle, Rev. Thomas Scanlon, pastor at Hazelton, Pennsylvania, and lived there and in Philadelphia for several years. When her health failed she came West to Decorah to her aunt, the late Mrs. John Enright who lived on Day street, whose son John Enright and daughter Kate Enright will be remembered by many of the old residents. After recovering she returned to the East, but did not remain long.

She was married to Peter Whalen at Waukon, Iowa, June 16, 1875, and came back to Decorah where she since had lived. She is survived by her daughters Monnie and Tina. Peter Whalen died March 25, 1920.

She loved her garden and flowers—loved people and life till the very end and lived with zest. Until she grew too old she was always happiest when she could help someone who needed aid or guidance and her advice on any subject was wise, and profitable to follow. She lived with courage and enjoyment.

source: The Decorah Journal, Decorah, Iowa, Thursday, August 12, 1937
Died August 7, 1937

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Notes: According to Moyvane Parish records (online at Irishgenealogy.ie) her date of birth was April 7, 1844, of Leitrim (Townland,perhaps), Moyvane Parish. So the exact age given, month and date, appears to be off a bit.

Mr. and Mrs. P.J. McCauley were Patrick and Hanora (Nora) Whalen McCauley. Nora Whalen McCauley was the eldest daughter of Patrick Whalen and Julia Regan Whalen. Patrick was Ellen’s brother-in-law, youngest sibling of Peter Whalen. Nora Whalen McCauley’s brother was Rev. James Leo Whalen (1883-1929). Likely he is mentioned as he was Pastor at St. Benedict’s in Decorah at one point in time.

While not apparent from her obituary, Ellen was the priest’s housekeeper at St. Patrick Church in Waukon, Iowa in the 1870 Census. The Allamakee County Courthouse has a marriage license for Peter Whalen and Ellen Bunce dated June 14, 1874. The marriage year in the obit appears to be off by a year.

St.. Benedict Cemetery Gravestone
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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