Helen Mary Sullivan Whelan Obituary

Helen Mary (Sullivan) Whelan beloved wife of the late Raymond James Whelan, passed away peacefully at home on June 19 surrounded by her family. She was the adoring daughter of the late Daniel and Bridget Sullivan, loving sister of the late Abina Sullivan and Cecelia McElearney, and loving mother of the late Michael Whelan (Christine.) Helen is survived by her loving children, Daniel Whelan, James Whelan (Nancy), Mary Patricia Whelan-Miille (Michael Miille), Joanne Thurau (John), and Aileen Whelan. She will be missed by her grandchildren Lisa Oshima (Rob), Lauren Go (PJ), Cameron Miille (Jamie), John Paul Thurau II (Gabriela), Raymond Whelan, Mark Thurau, and Daniel Whelan. She is also survived by her precious great grandchildren Olivia, Gabriel, and Samantha Go, Caelyn Oshima, and Parker Miille, as well as three who will soon be joining the family. Helen's extended family of greatly loved nieces and nephews includes the Whelan, Lyons, and McElearney families. Helen is also survived by her cousins Sr. Rosaleen O'Sullivan, RSM, Claire D'Amico, and the Duignan family of Ireland. Helen grew up in the Mission District of San Francisco amidst a very close knit Irish community. She attended Corpus Christi grammar school, and graduated from St. Paul's High School in 1941. Helen graduated from the College of Notre Dame, Belmont, in 1944. She met her husband Raymond (SCU Fighting '44, class of 1947) at a Santa Clara University dance. They were married in 1947 until his death in 1995. Helen & Ray moved to Burlingame in 1954 where they raised their family in Our Lady of Angels Parish. Both Helen and Ray were active in the Our Lady of Angels School and church community. Helen was a Mothers' Club president and volunteered for many years at the church rectory. She was also in the "Pink Lady" Auxiliary at Peninsula Hospital in Burlingame for many years. Helen loved being a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and aunt. She greatly enjoyed hosting family gatherings with Ray in their home. Sewing was a creative outlet for Helen, and her daughters greatly benefited from this! In her later years, Helen enjoyed the friendship and support of the Our Lady of Angels Parish community especially the Capuchin Franciscans and rectory staff. Helen's family would like to thank Visiting Angels, in particular, Beth and Patricia, for the wonderful care they provided, and most especially Jennifer Leone for her loving care during Helen's final days. Donations in Helen's memory may be made to the Capuchin Franciscans, Western Province, 1345 Cortez Avenue, Burlingame CA 94010.A Visitation will be held on Thursday June 23 at 6pm and the Rosary will begin at 7pm at Our Lady of Angels Church, 1721 Hillside Drive, Burlingame CA 94010. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 am on Friday, June 24 at Our Lady of Angels Church, 1721 Hillside Drive, Burlingame CA 94010. A graveside service will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma following the mass. A reception will be held back in Burlingame following the graveside service (details will be provided at the church.)

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This page last updated on June 21, 2016