Rita Marie Whalen

Rita Marie Whalen, age 94, of Moreno Valley, California, passed away, Saturday, July 6, 2019, in Moreno Valley, California. She was born on November 14, 1924 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to the late Salvatore and Mary Samperi. She had 4 sisters and 3 brothers.

Mary enjoyed singing and dancing with sister, Emma and her brother’s band during the 1940’s. She was a welder, working on battleships in the Philadelphia Naval Yard during the 2nd World War. Mary married Joseph Luke Marnien in 1949 and to this union, 5 children were born. Mary moved to California in 1969 after Joseph’s death to be closer to family. In 1974 she married Frank Whalen. In the early years of marriage to Frank, they enjoyed traveling in their travel trailer, visiting Laughlin, Las Vegas and especially her son Joseph in Texas. Bowling was her passion. She bowled several times every week in the beginning, slowing down to one day per week before her passing. She was interviewed by CBS News in 2016 for bowling a 207 scratch game at the age of 92. She enjoyed being at the bowling alley with the many friends she made over the years. Mary was known for her singing and dancing at the assisted living home where she lived…entertaining was in her blood. She was loved and will be missed by all of those who knew her.

Those left to cherish her memory are children, Gerard Marnien, William Marnien, Daniel Marnien and Mary Ellen Blysca; step children, Roger Whalen and Dawn Schrock; 14 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren and a host of other family members and friends. Rita was preceded in death by husband, Frank Whalen and son, Joseph Whalen.

Arrangements are being entrusted to Miller-Jones Mortuary, 23618 Sunnymead Blvd., Moreno Valley, California, where the family will receive friends from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Tuesday, July 16, 2019. Funeral service will be at St. Christopher Catholic Church at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, July 17, 2019.