Noreen Whelehan (nee Courtney) of Miller Place, NY, passed into eternal life on Saturday September 14, 2024. She was born on August 22, 1934, in Boherbue, Co. Cork, Ireland to the late and beloved Humphrey and Margaret (nee Donoghue) Courtney.
She was the devoted wife to her beloved husband of 49 years, Patrick Oliver, who predeceased her in 2004. She was the cherished mother of Ann Whelehan Smego and her husband Mike, Peggy Carrick and her husband Jim. She was Nanny to her adored grandchildren Meghan Krafchin, (Jeremy), Caitlin Farrand (Corry), and Jamie McKenna (Jason), Liam Smego, and Laura Smego and great grandchildren Madelyn, Lilly, Stella, Teddy, Grace and Baby McKenna due in October.
Noreen immigrated to America at the age of 17. After she arrived, she worked at Schrafft’s Restaurants in NYC where she met Oliver Whelehan, the love of her life, and they married, and moved to Miller Place in 1958.
Noreen was a loving and active wife, mother, homemaker, and volunteer. In 1970, Noreen and Oliver, began active involvement helping build St. Louis de Montfort parish, fundraising and canvassing new parishioners.
After raising their family, Noreen found her calling as a Pastoral Care Minister, getting education in all courses associated for certification. She served in several roles including leader of Small Christian community prayer groups, Eucharistic Minister at St Louis de Monfort, Mather Hospital, and parish homebound. She was honored and recognized for her lifelong service including receiving the Grignon Award. In addition to frequent visits to Ireland, she went on several pilgrimages with church groups to many holy sites.
She is survived by her loving sisters, brothers and in laws: Peg and Pete Clarke, Con and Pat Courtney, Jer Courtney, Pat Courtney, Hannah and Tim Cahalan, Tom Courtney, Mary Courtney and Donie Murphy, Liz Courtney, Mike Hussey, and Margaret Courtney.
She is also predeceased by her late sisters, brothers and in-laws: Humphrey and Joan Courtney, Denis and Anne Courtney, Jim Courtney, Sean Courtney, Eileen and Leo Murphy, Sheila Hussey, Sheila Courtney, Dan and Mary Courtney, Margaret Courtney, Eileen Courtney, Joan Courtney, and Patrick Courtney.
She was also much loved by her many Whelehan brothers and sisters in law, and all her Courtney and Whelehan nieces and nephews. She will be also missed by her dear friends and clergy from St. Louis and the community, with whom she shared great friendships.
The wake will be held at O.B. Davis Funeral Home on Friday September 20, 2024, 1001 Route 25A, Miller Place, NY, from 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00 PM.
The Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday September 21, at St Louis de Montfort Church, 75 New York Avenue, Sound Beach, NY at 9:00 AM.
She will be laid to rest at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, NY.
We thank all the healthcare professionals who provided Mom with great care so that she could live vitally to age 90, especially Dr. O. Yen, Dr. M. Wasserman, Dr. R. Shlofmitz, and all the doctors and caregivers associated with Mather Hospital, St. Francis Hospital, and Good Shepherd Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hope House Ministries,
P.O. Box 358, Port Jefferson, NY 11777 or online at:
https://www.hhm.org/donate-online/
Link for Funeral Mass Livestream https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/a2409557070893
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