Obituary of Miriam A. Whalen

Miriam Ann Whalen, 77, of Jackson was called to the Lord on Sunday, June 23, 2019 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township after a two year illness.  She was born on Independence Day in Paterson, raised in Passaic, and had lived in Bloomfield and Marlboro before settling in Four Seasons at Metedeconk in Jackson eight years ago. She was a graduate of Pope Pius High School in Passaic, and then worked in the insurance and retail industries before making a career of motherhood.   Miriam was a parishioner and eucharistic minister at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church in Marlboro for over 40 years, and then at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Jackson for the past 8 years.  She treasured her family, and attended all of her grandchildren’s activities.  Miriam also enjoyed puzzles, reading, trivia and gardening.  

She was predeceased by her parents, Walter and Frances Bilz; and her brothers, Walter A. Bilz and Carl F. Bilz.  Miriam is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Walter R. Whalen; children, James Whalen and his husband, Spence Cook of Neptune, Eileen Ruderman and her husband, Ian of Freehold Township, Richard Whalen and his wife, Jennifer Vitz Whalen of Neptune, Amy Novak and her husband David; and six grandchildren, Hailey Ruderman, Lindsey Ruderman, Chloe Whalen, Max Novak, Paige Novak and Parker Novak. 

Visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Wednesday, June 26, 2019 from 3:00 to 8:00 PM.  Relatives and friends are invited to attend her 11:00 AM Funeral Mass on Thursday, June 27, 2019 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 935 Bennetts Mills Road, Jackson.  Entombment will follow in St. Gabriel’s Cemetery & Mausoleum, Marlboro.   For information, directions or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com