Obituary for Florence McKee Whalen (McKee)
Florence McKee Whalen 11/20/1939-6/22/2020
Florence died after living for too many years with Alzheimer’s disease. Those who knew her understand that the loss of her sharp mind was tragic, especially for her.
She was born in the Bronx to Walter and Grace McKee. She had two siblings Walter and Judy.
Her professional career was remarkable. She started working at St. John’s Riverside Hospital at the age of 17 as a weekend Switchboard operator, but her passion was nursing. She left to be a student nurse and after graduating she was rehired in 1960. She continued to break the ceiling in the field of leadership in nursing throughout her career. In 1967 she completed her Bachelor of Science from Columbia University and a master’s degree in nursing administration in 1982 from Pace University. In 1994 she was promoted to Vice President for Performance Improvement. She retired from St. John’s Hospital in 2001. Her career was an important part of her life and an important lesson to her children on how smart, strong, and independent their mother was.
Florence had two children with Robert McInerney- Kevin and Lauren. She later married John Whalen and they were married for close to 30 years until his death in 2018.
It is often said that one cannot have a family and a career. Floss did the ultimate balance where she instilled the importance of self-growth and career while also making sure her family felt loved and cared for.
She is survived by her son Kevin McInerney and wife Jennifer and their sons Aiden, Sean, and Daniel. Daughter Lauren Bailey and her husband Todd. Nephew Brendan and wife Kelly and sons Ryan and Colin. Also, her brother Walter and wife Phyllis who was more like a sister than a sister in law and her niece Carolyn.
Florence enjoyed golf, being with friends, and her greatest joy was her family.
Services to be held in the future to celebrate her life.
Funeral mass for Florence will be held at Sacred Heart Church in Yonkers on June 18th at 9:30 AM.
Florence died after living for too many years with Alzheimer’s disease. Those who knew her understand that the loss of her sharp mind was tragic, especially for her.
She was born in the Bronx to Walter and Grace McKee. She had two siblings Walter and Judy.
Her professional career was remarkable. She started working at St. John’s Riverside Hospital at the age of 17 as a weekend Switchboard operator, but her passion was nursing. She left to be a student nurse and after graduating she was rehired in 1960. She continued to break the ceiling in the field of leadership in nursing throughout her career. In 1967 she completed her Bachelor of Science from Columbia University and a master’s degree in nursing administration in 1982 from Pace University. In 1994 she was promoted to Vice President for Performance Improvement. She retired from St. John’s Hospital in 2001. Her career was an important part of her life and an important lesson to her children on how smart, strong, and independent their mother was.
Florence had two children with Robert McInerney- Kevin and Lauren. She later married John Whalen and they were married for close to 30 years until his death in 2018.
It is often said that one cannot have a family and a career. Floss did the ultimate balance where she instilled the importance of self-growth and career while also making sure her family felt loved and cared for.
She is survived by her son Kevin McInerney and wife Jennifer and their sons Aiden, Sean, and Daniel. Daughter Lauren Bailey and her husband Todd. Nephew Brendan and wife Kelly and sons Ryan and Colin. Also, her brother Walter and wife Phyllis who was more like a sister than a sister in law and her niece Carolyn.
Florence enjoyed golf, being with friends, and her greatest joy was her family.
Services to be held in the future to celebrate her life.
Funeral mass for Florence will be held at Sacred Heart Church in Yonkers on June 18th at 9:30 AM.