Kathleen Cecile Whalen

Kathleen Cecile Whalen Born: 11/15/1947 (Detroit, MI) Died: 06/05/2024 (Northville, MI) Kathleen (Kathy) Whalen (nee DeBord) went Home to the Lord on Wednesday, June 5th, 2024, after a five-year struggle with dementia. Kathy was born in Detroit, Michigan to William H. and Shirley (“Kay”) DeBord. She grew up in Wayne, Michigan, graduating from Wayne Memorial High School in 1965. Kathy had an early love for horses, starting with a sawhorse she named Moonlight Bay and “rode” in the back yard. She took ballet at age 7 and was quick to go “on pointe” – demonstrating a physical strength and agility that would keep her active and healthy right to the end. Ballet also fueled her lifetime appreciation for classical music, and love for the piano. Kathy met John Whalen while working as a dental assistant after high school. They were married in 1971 and raised their young family in Livonia until 1979, when they moved to the “farm” in Plymouth, Michigan (Salem Township). Kathy’s heart was devoted to animals. She trained her two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels to perform in agility trials and serve as “therapy” dogs for visits to memory care facilities. She remained an equestrian into adulthood, owning several horses over her lifetime and competing in dressage events. She was a member of 4H and shared her love of the organization by encouraging her youngest children to raise and show chickens and rabbits at the local fairs. In 1995, Kathy and John moved again, this time to a 70+ acre farm in Brooklyn, Michigan. Kathy promptly bought two Welsh ponies with the intention of training them for cart showing, but they were better suited to being sweet, oversized pets. Surprising most of her family, Kathy overcame her fear of motorcycles and became a member of the Christian Motorcycle Association (CMA), taking long road trips on her Suzuki 800 Intruder with John and other bike-loving friends. Her favorite rides were to northern Michigan – Ludington, Traverse City, and Sault Ste. Marie. She was ever supportive of other people’s passions as well, managing John’s auction business for ten+ years and faithfully attending her grandchildren’s activities: school events, horse shows, dance recitals, soccer games, birthday parties, and other rites of passage – helping make memories as only a grandparent’s presence can do. Kathy was active in her church, Manchester United Methodist, using her artistic skills to create altar banners and flower arrangements, lending her beautiful voice to the choir, and playing in the handbell chorus. She also delivered the Eucharist to home-bound church members. Kathy leaves behind a legacy of hospitality, service, steady faith in Jesus, and a family who misses her beyond words. She now sees the Lord face to face, freed from her suffering, and vindicated in her hope: "When this corruptible body is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place: Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, death, is your victory? Where, death, is your sting? (1 Cor 15:54-55). In addition to her love of all things Jesus, she made wonderful braided Challah bread and displayed a beautiful menorah every Christmas because she thought it was a pretty candle holder. Thank you for everything, Mom. She leaves behind her husband of 51 years, John Whalen; her sister Carole Smith (Roger); three children: Kristen Goran (Jim), Catherine Anne Whalen, and Thomas Andrew Whalen (Kelly); four grandchildren: Elyse Schenk (Alex), Hailey Goran (Jake), Aaron Whalen and Jack Whalen; and four great-grandchildren. There will be a service at Manchester United Methodist on Saturday, June 15th, at 11:00am and a remembrance gathering at Pomeroy Senior Living in Northville at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for donations to any of the following: Hospice of Michigan, Midwest Small Breed Rescue, Horses Haven. Please leave a message of comfort for Kathy's family or sign her guestbook at www.EinederFuneralHomes.com

Kathleen Cecile Whalen

November 15, 1947 - June 5, 2024