Born: April 18, 1924

Died: May 31, 2013

Cecilia L. (Pearce) Whalen, 89, of Kalamazoo, formerly of Niles, passed away on Friday, May 31, 2013, at Rose Arbor Hospice Residence in Kalamazoo, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on April 18, 1924, in Norbury, England, to the late Arthur and Annie (Bailey) Pearce.
During World War II, Cecilia was swept off her feet by Donald L. Whalen, a U.S. soldier. The couple married in Sutton Coldfield, England, on April 6, 1944.

Cecilia worked as a bus conductress during the war in England.

During the blackouts, she had to walk in front of the bus, lighting the way with her flashlight. After moving to Niles, Cecilia was employed at Simplicity Pattern Company for nearly 10 years and was a gifted homemaker.

She enjoyed cooking, knitting, growing flowers and bird watching. Cecilia and Donald enjoyed traveling across the U.S. and overseas. The couple also loved dancing, and they were members of the South Bend Shoe and Slipper Club. She was a member of the Trinity Episcopal Church in Niles.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Donald Whalen; son, Paul Whalen; and 13 brothers and sisters.

Cecilia is survived by daughter, Linda Livingston, of Kalamazoo; son, Brian and Brian›s wife, Kimberly Whalen, of Kalamazoo; and grandson, Paul Livingston, of Atlanta, Ga.

A time of remembrance will be held at Brown Funeral Home in Niles on Monday, June 3, 2013, from 4 to 6 p.m.

Her family will gather privately for a committal service at South Union Cemetery in Berrien Center.

Memorial contributions may be made in Cecilia’s memory to March of Dimes 1930 West Milham Rd., Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI, 49024.

Condolences, photos and memories may be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or on our Facebook page www.FaceBook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.