Shirley Joan Whalen Ahrens

Shirley was born to Harry Barnard David and Leona Marie Hall May 7, 1935 in Los Angeles California. She passed away on May 30, 2003 in Kenniwick Washington after a 2 year battle with cancer.

Shirley was raised in Los Angeles California with her 2 sisters and brother. She married Austin Boyd “Bud” Whalen on December 9, 1955. In 1961 they moved to Palmdale California, where they settled and raised their family. Shirley was always active in her children’s life and local schools. In 1973 Shirley lost her husband to Lupus.

In 1993 she moved to the Tri Cities area of Washington. She married David Ahrens November 2, 1996 and they made their home in West Richland. She was an active member in the Tri-City Genealogical Society.

Shirley was a very kind, compassionate, unselfish lady. She made friends easily and has many strong friendships that go back to grade school.

She loved to be physical active. She always keep up with her exercise regiment with either, walking, biking, running or swimming. At the age of 50 she ran her first 10K race.

She is survived by her husband Dave Ahrens of West Richland Washington, son and daughter-in-law David and Peggy Whalen of Vancouver Washington, daughter and son-in-law Carol and Herb DeConte of Los Gatos California, son Darrell Whalen of Palmdale California, grandchildren Stephanie and Amy Whalen, Brandon and Clayton DeConte, sister and brother-in-law Jackie and Marc Jardin of Northridge California, sister Joyce Weyant of Fountain Valley California, brother Richard David of Missouri. Three nieces 1 nephew, and many great nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Central United Protestant Church in Richland on Monday June 2 at 10:00am. There will be a second service in Palmdale California the following week.

Donations can be made to Tri-City Chaplaincy Hospice in Memory of Shirley Whalen ‘Ahrens, 2108 W. Entiat, Kennewick, WA 99336-3000, or Tri City Cancer Center, 7350 West Deschutes Ave. #A, Kennewick, WA, 99336.