Hazel Mae (Frattesi) Whalen

Montgomery -Hazel Mae (Frattesi) Whalen, aged 94, passed away peacefully at home Wednesday morning, December 14, with her loving daughter Christine by her side. Born in Springfield, MA to Aldo and Mary (Pettazoni) Frattesi, she was raised in the Hungry Hill section of Springfield. In 1940, she graduated from Commerce High School where she was the school correspondent to the Springfield newspapers. According to a fellow classmate �everybody wanted to be her friend.� Vivacious and outgoing, she had a beautiful voice, and she sang with big bands at area USO clubs. During the war, Hazel was also a �Rosie Riveter.� She worked at Indian Motorcycle assembling fuel pumps and later moved into an administrative position with the company. She then took a position at Westover Air Force Base helping returning soldiers find jobs. It was there, at a USO dance, that she met her beloved husband, Thomas M. Whalen. Soon after they were married, they moved to Chicago, Illinois, where she worked as a personal secretary to the president of Weiboldt�s Department store while her husband attended Podiatry school. After his graduation, they returned home, eventually settling in West Springfield, where Thomas set up his Podiatry practice. During that period, Hazel worked as an administrative assistant to the commandant at the Springfield Armory. She was active and influential in the West Springfield community. A leader in the local PTA and Ramapogue Women�s Club, she was a familiar figure at the annual West Springfield Rotary Club talent show. While in West Springfield, Hazel was a communicant of St. Thomas the Apostle Church, and after moving to Montgomery, MA, was a parishioner of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament in Westfield. Hazel loved people and was happiest when surrounded by family and friends. Well into her 90�s, she and her husband Tom never tired of sitting together watching the sun set on top of Montgomery mountain or at their summer home overlooking Cape Cod Bay. An avid gardener, an amazing cook, an artist and a savvy businesswoman, Hazel was most respected for her sense of humor, her unbounded energy and her practical wisdom, which she gave generously and lovingly. Hazel was pre-deceased by her sisters Lilly Palazzi, Olga Malone, Gloria Pasini, and her adored partner in fun, brother Elliot Frattesi. She is survived by her three children, Patricia Whalen and husband Greg Bullen, of Baltimore, Maryland, Thomas Whalen, of West Springfield, and Christine Whalen and husband Larry Riley, of Northampton, adored grandson Alex Bullen, and numerous loving nieces and nephews. The funeral begins at 10:00 am on Tuesday, December 20 at Toomey-O�Brien Funeral Home, 1043 Westfield Street, West Springfield, MA, followed by an 11:00 am Liturgy of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Blessed Sacrament Church, 127 Holyoke Road, Westfield, MA. Burial to follow at Center Cemetery, Montgomery, MA. Calling hours are Monday, December 19, 4:00 � 6:00 pm at Toomey-O�Brien Funeral Home. The family would like to thank Hazel�s beloved Dominican Nuns for their constant prayers and love, and requests that in lieu of flowers, donations in Hazel�s name may be made to the Dominican Nuns, 1430 Riverdale Street, West Springfield MA 01089.