James Madeline Whalen (1937-2021)

Sister James Madeline Whalen, SNDdeN went to her good God June 2021. She was 83.

 She was born Dolores L. Whalen in Lawrence, Maine in 1937, to Madeline (Hamelin) Whalen and James Whalen. Early on in Dolores’ life, she had a calling to serve others. After she graduated from Keith Hall High School in Lowell, Mass. in 1955, Dolores entered the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. She decided on Sister James Madeline as her name in honor of her mother and father. Sister James made her first vows in 1958 and final vows in 1963.

She graduated from Emmanuel College in 1967 with a degree in History and Education. Through her years of service, she taught elementary school throughout the Greater Boston area. She loved teaching and thought of her students as her own children. She enjoyed telling stories about “her children.”

Sister James, or “Jamsie,” as she was affectionately called, loved all things Irish. For many years, she and her best friend, Cheryl, would travel to Ireland during the summer months. Jamsie loved sharing her experiences and adventures with all. When Jamsie talked about Ireland, her face would light up and she would speak in her best Irish brogue.

She most recently was a resident of the St. Julie Billiart Residential Care Center in Ipswich, Massachusetts.

 Updated in 2026.