Ellen Hope Whalen, 89 passed away on June 10, 2018. She was born on August 27, 1928, in Augusta, Maine, the daughter of the late Frederick and Gladys (Warren) Benner. She graduated from Hallowell High School, class of 1946. She married John C. Whalen in 1950 and together they raised their family. She worked as a payroll clerk for both the State of Maine and for the Veteran's Administration at Togus. Ellen loved music. Singing and playing the piano were a joy to her. She was a wonderful seamstress and enjoyed reading, cross stitching, cooking and putting puzzles together. Some of her favorite board games to play were UP Words, Scrabble and Yahtzee. She was a sincere Christian woman who loved the Lord. Her faith and devotion were a constant guide and example to all who knew and loved her. She is survived by her children, John T. Whalen and his wife, Dianne, of Canaan, Maine, Ruth E. Bornert and husband, Ray, of Peoria, Arizona, Esther L. Whalen of Belgrade, Maine, Rachel E. Whalen of Phoenix, Arizona, Paul P. Whalen and wife, Toni, of Franktown, Colorado, and Mark E. Whalen and wife, Camey, of Hayden, Idaho, nine grandchildren; one great-grandchild; sister, Esther G. Longfellow of Farmingdale, Maine, brothers, Fred W. Benner and wife Eleanor of Farmingdale, Maine, and Warren H.G. Benner and wife Roseanne of Hallowell, Maine, and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents; her loving husband, John C. Whalen; and brother-in-law, Alden Longfellow. A funeral service and private celebration of Ellen’s life will be held in the chapel at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Mt. Vernon Road, Augusta, Maine. There will be no public visitation. Richardson Funeral Home, Tempe, Arizona and Shorey-Nichols Funeral Home, Pittsfield, Maine are both compassionately serving the family.
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