Therese Ann Whalen

Therese Ann Whalen was born October 22, 1962 in Oakland, California to Margaret Mary Doherty and Daniel Joseph Doherty. Therese was surrounded by the love of seven siblings: Mary, Dan, Pat, Tom, Dave, Eileen and Kathy. They have been an incredibly close family all of their lives and she was blessed with wonderful in-laws whom she loved like her own siblings: Art, Janet, Ann, Paula, Steve & Adrian. She had 19 nieces and nephews on her side and 9 great nieces and nephews whom she cherished like her own children. Therese was blessed with in-laws Bea Whalen and the late Ed Whalen, brother in-laws Rob, Pete and Steve. She enjoyed time shared with her in-laws and three nieces and nephews . The bond of love Therese felt for family was taught to her by the wonderful love and support of her parents.

Therese attended Assumption Elementary School and Bishop O'Dowd High School. As a youngster she enjoyed playing sports on the CYO teams, and at Bishop O'Dowd she was a tennis player. She went to Cal State East Bay and earned a degree in accounting. It was during her time in college that she became part of a wonderful group of friends with whom she has grown closer and closer to over the years. The years of fun spent together were something she cherished! It was through her wonderful college friends that Therese met Joe Whalen in 1984. Their friendship and romance blossomed, and on July 26, 1986, they were married at Assumption Church in San Leandro, CA by her uncle, Fr. Paschal Morrisroe.

In 1989, Therese and Joe moved to Rocklin, California where they built a beautiful family and community of friends. Therese and Joe have three children: Jessica Lauren, Christopher Ryan, and Kevin Patrick. Therese was an amazing mother and wife and this was her most cherished role in life. She was the ultimate team mom, bench coach, fundraiser, and volunteer accountant for family and community groups. Through her work with the schools and sports teams, Therese established amazing and treasured relationships with her extensive network of local friends and neighbors. She loved having her children grow up with so many other wonderful families who became an extension of her own. She was a parishioner at St. Peter and Paul's Church in Rocklin, CA and her faith in God brought her strength and comfort. She felt the love of God throughout her life.

Therese was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009 and faced her diagnosis with exceptional strength, faith, and acceptance. She and her family felt truly blessed by the care she received from Dr. Julie Hersch and the staff at Kaiser Roseville. She was a pioneer in treatment of her disease and always was willing to undergo a research trial if it might benefit women that came behind her. Cancer did not define Therese, life did!

She worked as a CPA initially at Hirose, Oto & Bailey, Grant Bennett Accounting and then at Kee Mapes Associates for the last 15 years where she was a valued member of the team.

Therese's lasting legacy to her family and friends is love, compassion, generosity, and service to others. She will be with us always.