Mary Kathryn Whaley

August 19, 1929 - October 30, 2015

On Friday, October 30, our beloved wife and mother, Mary Kathryn Polsue Whaley passed from this life to the next in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Mrs. Whaley moved to Sunnyside Retirement Community in Harrisonburg, Virginia, after living in Blacksburg, Virginia for 44 years. Mrs. Whaley was born on August 19, 1929 in Charleston, West Virginia, to Ruth Myers Polsue and William C. Polsue, MD. She graduated from Charleston High School in 1947 and from Madison College (now James Madison University) in 1951 with a degree in elementary education. Mrs. Whaley loved teaching in Richmond, Martinsville, and Blacksburg, Virginia. She also served others as a Sunday school teacher, Girls Scout leader, neighbor, and friend. Mary K. Whaley always put the needs of others ahead of her own needs. She was a beloved and devoted wife and mother. In 1981, Mrs. Whaley was honored by the Montgomery County (Virginia) News Messenger as Woman of the Year for her service to the community as a reading teacher, neighbor, and friend. She served the Women in the Church, the Inter-Faith Food Pantry, and many other causes. While attending church in Richmond, Virginia, she was introduced to Leigh C. Whaley, Jr. by his sister, Helen Whaley. Soon wedding bells were ringing and the couple resided in Front Royal, Bedford, Martinsville, Blacksburg, and Harrisonburg, Virginia. Mrs. Whaley is survived by her loving husband, Leigh C. Whaley, Jr., of Harrisonburg; her children, Kathryn Whaley Pugh (Frank), of Leesburg, Virginia, Susan Whaley Walsh (David), of Mechanicsville, Virginia, and Leigh Carrington (Cary) Whaley, III of Silver Springs, Maryland. Mrs. Whaley is also survived by six grandchildren. Mrs. Whaley was preceded in death by her parents. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 am at Meredith Chapel, 3935 Sunnyside Dr. Harrisonburg, Virginia with burial at Oakhurst Cemetery in Clarksville, Virginia. Memorial donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church and the Alzheimer’s Association. The family of Mrs. Whaley is being cared for by Cremation Society of Virginia, Southside. Online condolences can be expressed at www.cremationofvirginia.com.