Marilyn Whalon

Marilyn Whalon of Lakewood, Colorado, passed away in Denver at age 78 and is remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, parishioner, and dedicated professional. She was born to Grant and Helen Flink in Joliet, Illinois. Marilyn was raised and educated as a devout Catholic with her twin sister, Madelyn, and brothers James and Lawrence (both deceased). She graduated from Saint Francis Academy High School, in Joliet. She married Clifford J. Whalon in 1972, and they built a home in Plainfield, Illinois, where they nurtured their combined family of three children, Greg (57), John (54), and Karen (52). Marilyn was active in her community and served in the Plainfield Women’s Civic Organization. In 1979, the family moved to Lakewood, Colorado where Marilyn worked for Nicor Exploration, and then the couple moved their empty nest to Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1987 where Marilyn started her career with the federal government. She transferred back to the Denver area in 1992 and retired in 2011 after a 21-year career with the U.S. Forest Service. She earned several merit awards for outstanding performance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Marilyn was an active member of Christ on the Mountain Catholic parish where she sang and also served as the choir librarian. Marilyn skied, fly fished, loved dogs, and enjoyed golf – playing on several leagues. She had many friends who filled her social calendar. Fashion was important to Marilyn, and she rarely left the house without looking fabulous. With her family at her bedside, Marilyn crossed over to eternal peace after a tenacious battle with cardiopulmonary disease. She is survived by her husband, three children, five grandchildren, six great grandchildren, and her sister.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Denver Dumb Friends League or Foothills Animal Shelter (Golden, CO). A Celebration of Life service will be held at Christ on the Mountain Church (Lakewood), on March 30, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.