Whalen, Lilly Christa's Obituary
Our beloved mother and grandmother, Lilly Christa Whalen, 96, passed away peacefully on December 7th, 2025.
Born on August 9th, 1929, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, Lilly was the daughter of Anton and Elfrida Nissen. Anton and Elfrida immigrated from Denmark just a few months before Lilly was born. In the US she grew up alongside her older brother, Leif Nissen, who remained in New Jersey throughout his life.
As a young woman, Lilly attended Woodbridge High School during the years of WWII. There she met and fell in love with Marine veteran John William Whalen. Their story became a lifelong partnership with their marriage lasting 67 years until John’s passing in 2017. In 1949, Lilly flew to New Mexico to marry John while he pursued his accounting degree at the University of Albuquerque on the GI Bill. During those early years, she worked as a secretary for Monarch Machines, and together they built a life surrounded by friends.
After college, they remained in Albuquerque for ten years, where they welcomed their eldest son, Robert. John’s career later took them to Seattle, and then onward to Tennessee where their youngest son, Edward, was born. Eventually moving to Pittsburgh, and finally Oklahoma. They first settled in Norman before settling permanently in Tulsa.
Lilly loved hosting gatherings, crocheting gifts, reading, working puzzles, and most of all, spending time with her family. Her energy and devotion will forever be remembered by those she leaves behind: her sons Robert and Edward, her daughters-in-laws Annette and Felicia, and her granddaughters Michelle, Valerie, and Natalie, who will carry her memory forward.
Visitation will be held on December 18th from 3–5 p.m. at Floral Haven, with a Rosary at 4 p.m. A funeral Mass will follow on December 19th, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Church of the Resurrection, with a graveside service at Floral Haven. For those who wish to honor Lilly’s memory with flowers, please visit the Floral Haven website.
What’s your fondest memory of Lilly?
What’s a lesson you learned from Lilly?
Share a story where Lilly's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Lilly you’ll never forget.
How did Lilly make you smile?
