Catherine E. (Spinale) Whalen, of Marshfield, passed away on January 24, 2022 at the age of 88. Beloved wife of Lawrence A. Whalen; loving mother of Lisa A. Whalen and husband Joel of Plymouth, Catherine M. Burton and husband Lex of Sugar Hill, NH, Lawrence A. Whalen, II and wife Kathryn of Scituate, and Matthew S. and Peter S. Whalen, both of Plymouth, and Christopher D. Whalen, of HIngham; dear sister of Alba S. Kenney of Bedford and Matthew D. Spinale Jr. of Dover; cherished grandmother of 13 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

Catherine (Spinale) Whalen grew up in Belmont, Massachusetts surrounded by the love, encouragement and musical talents of a large, extended Italian family.   She attended Matignon High School in Cambridge, and later Tufts University where she earned a degree in elementary education.

While in college, Cathy began corresponding with her cousin's friend, Alan, who was serving in the Korean War. On February 22, 1957, Cathy married that handsome soldier, and in true Catholic fashion, child number one was born the following December.  Soon there was a house full of little Whalen's keeping their parents busy.

While raising their family, Cathy and Alan were dedicated to the growth and enrichment of the community.  For decades Cathy was an active member of the Marshfield Historical Society, Ladies Sodality and Marshfield Women's Club. She and her husband together were members of the North and South River Watershed Association, Daniel Webster Association and Marshfield Fair Association.  During this time, Cathy returned to her profession in education, and taught in the Marshfield school system for more than twenty years.  More recently, Cathy could be seen tending the gardens at the Marshfield War Memorial and volunteering at the South River School voting center.

Cathy's contributions to the town will be sorely missed as will her tremendous presence in her family.  Cathy's husband, Alan, has sixty-four years of memories with his wife whom he refers to as "the love of his life".  Cathy's children, grandchildren and great grandchildren will forever remember her passion for ecology and her fierce sense of right and wrong.  They recall walks and talks on Humarock Beach, childhood tea parties (with real china teacups), watching for cardinals and hummingbirds on the back deck and struffoli days.  For these and so many other memories her family is eternally grateful.  Her enduring spirit reminds us that "Death is not the opposite of life, but part of it." ~ Haruki Murakami

Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, February 1, 2022 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the MacDonald Funeral Home, 1755 Ocean Street in Marshfield, and will conclude with a funeral procession to St. Christine Parish Church, 1295 Main Street in Marshfield, where the Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in the Couch Cemetery.

For online guest book, driving directions and other helpful information please visit the website macdonaldfuneralhome.com