Whalen

Joan Bernadette Lagorio Whalen, 91, of Saxonburg, formerly of Mars, left the bounds of earth to be with her heavenly Father, Monday, April 28, 2025.

She was born Oct. 6, 1933, in Pittsburgh, the daughter of John A. and Josephine (Gerard) Lagorio. Joan attended the Resurrection School in Pittsburgh through the eighth grade. Joan graduated from Elizabeth Seton High School in Brookline, Pa., in June 1951. She went on to further her education and attended Mount Mercy College in Castle Shannon and student taught at St. Anne School, while studying part time for the next two years.

She married Wilbert “Sonny” Whalen on June 17, 1953, at St. Valentine Catholic Church in Pittsburgh. She was preceded in death by her husband in 2023 after 70 years of marriage.

Joan returned to the workforce in 1970 working as a teacher’s aide at the Adams Grade School in Mars. Then to work in sales in the china and giftwares department, at the Northway Mall on McKnight Road for Hornes department store. She retired from Macy’s department store in 1996.

In addition to Sonny’s passing, Joan was preceded by her parents, granddaughter Jessica Whalen, and son-in-law, Hugh Kirkman.

She is survived by her seven children, daughters, Patricia Campbell (Donald) of Cochranton, Pa., Phyllis Miller Kirkman of Hubert, N.C., Rosemarie Whalen of Gibsonia and Teresa Whalen of Tarentum, sons, Thomas Whalen (Marletta) of Maysville, Ga., David Whalen (Cynthia) of Long Valley, N.J., and Stephen Whalen (Kristen) of Hubert, N.C. All her children were graduates of Mars Area High School.

Her large family includes 15 surviving grandchildren, Keith Campbell, Jason Campbell, Neil Miller, Bryan Miller, Joseph Miller, Kevin Miller, Heather Whalen Parrott, Melanie Whalen, Sarah Whalen DeCubellis, Matthew Whalen, Jonathan Whalen, Francis Whalen, Albert Whalen, Emily Whalen and Maggie Whalen; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Also surviving are her sister, Genevieve Lamb; and her brother, Gerard Lagorio, both from the Pittsburgh area; several nieces, nephews and their families.

She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Cabot. Joan sang in the choir and read Scripture at mass. She was an avid reader. She volunteered at the Saxonburg Public Library and served as a member of the Friends of the Library. At home, Joan kept busy with needlework and crocheting. Most of all, she enjoyed having large family celebrations in her home.

WHALEN — Friends of Joan Bernadette Lagorio Whalen, who died Monday, April 28, 2025, will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 2, at FOX FUNERAL HOME, 410 W. Main St., Saxonburg.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 3, at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, St. Joseph Catholic Church, 315 Stoney Hollow Road, Cabot, with Father James Kurtz officiating.

Interment will be at the Holy Savior Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to the South Butler Community Library, P.O. Box 454, Saxonburg, PA 16056, Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, 315 Stoney Hollow Road, Cabot PA 16023, or Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Department, 290 Horne Ave., Saxonburg PA 16056.

For more information, please visit www.foxfuneralhomeinc.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.