Obituary of Monica Mary Regina Whelan

Monica (Mona) Mary Whelan (nee Rauw) passed away Thursday evening at St. Joseph’s Home, Saskatoon. Mom had faced a series of recent health challenges with strength and grace. It was a swift passing when the time came so no doubt she had made up her mind that she had done enough. The occasion of her 100th birthday in July, an event which she looked forward to with delight, afforded so many of her family and friends the opportunity to celebrate with her. She passed that milestone with great enthusiasm as had her mother, her sister and uncles. Mona was born on the family farm near Fulda, Saskatchewan the fifth of eight children. She attended school through the eight grade before taking jobs as a mothers helper to some of the local families. In 1939 she travelled to Vancouver Island with her sister Agnes. They worked in Port Alberni for two years. Back in Humboldt Mona worked in Bruser’s Department Store selling ladies wear and hats. After 5 years she joined her sisters Agnes and Freida in Saskatoon where she went to work at Eaton’s in the millinery department. They enjoyed a busy social life centered around the St. Mary’s Parish community where she also belonged to the business girls club and the Legion of Mary and in later years, the CWL. In 1949 she was asked to act as the treasurer of the recently formed St. Mary’s Credit Union, a position she held for three years. In 1948 she met her “handsome Irishman”, Joe, at a dance. They belonged to an active youth club at the church and in July of 1952 were married. They lived on the Whelan family homestead and led a very busy life revolving around the dairy business, community organizations, square dancing, the church and of course family. Their home was always a hub for extended family get togethers and Mona was never happier than when she had all the available seats in the house full and sharing the bounty. Mona will be lovingly remembered by all of her family including daughter Kathy (Brian) Edmunds and grandchildren Sean, Dan, and Warren of Mill Bay B.C., daughter Patricia (Ray) Holder and grandsons David and Michael of Winnipeg, Man., son Paul (Judy) Whelan and grandchildren Alauna, Naomi, Joshua, Laura, and Sarah of Saskatoon, son Greg Whelan of Saskatoon and grandchildren Alison, Andrea, August, Ashley and Andrew, son Ron (Lori) Whelan and grandchildren Tia, Liam, Garrett, Dayne and Brynn and by four great grandchildren: Aiden, Evan, Rhett, and Hank. Also by many nieces and nephews. Mona is survived by her sister Freida Ryan of London, Ontario, her sister-in-law Anne (Bill) Loran of Saskatoon and her sister-in-law Joan Whelan of Kamloops, B.C. She is pre-deceased by her husband Joseph, her parents, Mathias and Anna, her sisters Clara, Barbara, Agnes and Mary (in infancy), her brothers Martin and Frank, brothers-in-law Tom (Jerome), Jack, Alex and Jim and by sisters-in-law Freida, Marie, and Lucy. The family wishes to thank Dr. Harrington, the staff at City Hospital, the Sisters of St. Joseph’s Home and the many staff at that facility for the compassion and care that they provided over the past year. Once again, we will gather to celebrate Mona’s life.