Mary Kwapien Whaley remembered – FESCH.TV

Mary Kwapien Whaley remembered & FESCH.TV:

Mary Elizabeth (Kwapien) Whaley
September 16, 1969 – February 5, 2024.
Greenville – Mary Elizabeth (Kwapien) Whaley passed away at home on February 5, 2024 after bravely countering an extended illness. Mary was born and raised in Westfield Massachusetts to Walter Kwapien and Mary Louise Kwapien on September 16, 1969. She is survived by her husband Bobby Whaley, her son Matthew Slentz and her stepson Daniel Whaley. She also is survived by her siblings Patricia (Kwapien) Forry, Walter Michael Kwapien, Donald Kwapien and Laura Kwapien.
Mary Elizabeth was the youngest of her family and her siblings especially enjoyed having a baby sister. As Mary’s mother and grandmothers were also named Mary, Patty awarded her the nickname Mary Bee. She couldn’t escape being called this for the rest of her life – at least while among family and Massachusetts friends. Mary inherited her mother’s generous spirit, kindness (and smile), her father’s clever mind and work ethic, also both their good looks.
She had a happy childhood until her cherished mother was stricken with cancer, falling asleep in death the day Mary turned 11. Her mothers deepest desire was to infuse her children with love and that her family be strengthened by the Bible promise of a Paradise Earth. When she received a fatal cancer diagnosis she wrote down some passages for her children (and especially her little child Mary) that she hoped would continue to guide them. Mary’s mother passed away some 43 years ago, but out of respect for her love and devotion we recall again one of the favorite passages. From Psalm 37 (verse 34): “ Hope in Jehovah and keep his way, and he will exalt you to take possession of the earth. When the wicked are done away with, you will see it.“
Only 5 years later Mary lost her father who had retired to care for her, she was 16 years old… too young for such losses.
A new page in Mary’s life started with her older brother and his young family in Poughkeepsie NY. She graduated from Arlington High School of Pleasant Vally NY in 1987. Following high school she attended Suny Albany for one year while working locally. In 1992 she moved to North Carolina where she briefly worked in fashion and retail.
In 1995 she began work with the USPS and it became her working career for 28 years. During this time she completed an associate degree at Lenoir Community College (May 2000) then a baccalaureate in accounting with honors from Eastern Carolina University (Greenville) in 2002. But these accomplishments took a backseat to the joy of giving birth in May 2000 to her son Matthew (by her then husband Michael). She loved Matthew with care and devotion the rest of her life; helping him find his best life was her constant goal. Interestingly Matt graduated from her alma mater 20 years after her.
She was first appointed a postmaster in Dover; her last and longest posting was the Bridgeton Post Office in 2012. She also performed a number of regional assignments. About this time she moved to her final home in Greenville (2011). It was also during this period that she met the love of her life, Bobby Whaley. They have been devoted to one another ever since. They were married May 18, 2016. Within this new family unit, stepson Daniel Whaley recalls that ‘I came to know, love and call you my mother’.
This devotion carried them when Mary suffered a seizure only to discover she had stage 4 brain cancer. She extended her life by bravely doing all she could with Bobby lovingly assisting her daily. In so doing she extended her prognosis by almost a year and used the time well. In her final days she was attended to at home in Greenville by her loving husband, also Laura and Patty who had so long ago delighted in her as a baby sister to care for.
Mary was deeply loved as a wife, mother and sister. She is fondly remembered by many friends, relatives, and colleagues.