Anita Whelan, a resident of Hyde Park, passed away peacefully at home on August 16, 2023, after a long, courageous battle with cancer. She was 80 years old.

Anita was born on October 8, 1942, in Middletown, NY to Genevieve (Sedelmeyer) and Randolph (Ben) Horton. She attended Middletown schools and Orange County Community College.

On July 18,1965, she was united in marriage to James L. Whelan Jr. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Middletown. Mr. Whelan predeceased her in 2001.

Anita's greatest joy was watching her seven grandchildren grow up into wonderful adults. She attended all of their school, dance, music, art, sporting and life events.

She spent a lifetime gardening, sewing, knitting, crafting and baking. She always had a game, puzzle, craft or cookie recipe to do with the kids. Her family has many happy memories around her dining room table. She shared her love of reading and math skills with her children, grandchildren, and friends.

Anita retired from Hyde Park Central School District in 2000 after 21 years as a Teaching Assistant in the math program at Hyde Park Elementary School. She was a volunteer and a lifetime member of F.W. Vanderbilt Garden Association and also served on the board for several years.

She is survived by her daughter, Karen L. Whelan, of Beaufort, SC; granddaughters, Kelly and Ashley Whelan, both of North Carolina; son, Stephen P. Whelan, and grandchildren, Meaghan, Patrick and Matthew Whelan, all of Hopewell Junction; daughter, Maureen M. Kverek, and husband, Robert, of Poughkeepsie; granddaughter, Shannon Au, and husband, Alex, of Washington; and grandson, Michael Boes of New York City.

She is also survived by her sister, Susan Walker, of Cornwall, NY; and sister-in-law, Grace Weiss, of North Carolina; as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Currently a communicant of Regina Coeli Church in Hyde Park, she was also a congregant of St. Peter's Parish in Poughkeepsie for many years.

Calling hours will be from 4 to 7 PM, Monday, August 21st at Sweet's Funeral Home, Rte. 9, Hyde Park.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM, Tuesday August 22nd at Regina Coeli Church, Rte. 9, Hyde Park.

Burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery, Poughkeepsie.

The Whelan family respectfully requests memorial donations to a charity of your choice, The F. W. Vanderbilt Garden Association, P.O. Box 239, Hyde Park, NY 12538 (www.vanderbiltgarden.org), or the Hudson Valley Hospice Foundation, 80 Washington St., Suite 204, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 (www.hvhospice.org).

To send an online condolence or for directions, please visit Anita's obituary page at www.sweetsfuneralhome.com.