Friday, January 28, 2022 7:05 am

DOVER - Karen Whelan Mullaney, 76, of Durham, a longtime pediatric nurse at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover, died peacefully in her home on Sunday, January 23, 2022, surrounded by her family.

Born Karen Lee Whelan on January 19, 1946, in Waltham, Mass., Karen grew up in Framingham, Mass. She attended Marian High School and the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she was part of the College of Nursing's first graduating class. A long career in pediatric nursing followed, which included 42 years at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover as well as service at Children's Hospital in Boston, and Newton-Wellesley Hospital. She retired in 2012.

In addition to her work, Karen loved gardening, beautifying her home, exercising, and traveling. She particularly loved France and all things French; she was an enthusiastic student of the French language throughout her life.

She is survived by her husband, Stanley Joseph Mullaney of Durham; daughter Stephanie M. Carver (Joshua) of Cape Elizabeth, Maine; son Peter Charles Mullaney of Atlanta, Ga.; sister Deborah Whelan (Philip Kincade) of Durham; brother Peter Whelan (Deborah) of Shrewsbury, Mass; grandchildren Charles Carver and Bella Carver of Cape Elizabeth; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Edward Lee Whelan, of Framingham and originally of Waltham, Mass. (a/k/a "The Flag Man of Framingham"); mother Catherine G. Whelan of Framingham and originally of Saco, Maine; a niece, Elizabeth Whelan of Shrewsbury, Mass.; and a nephew Raymond Mullaney, Jr. of Fairfax, Va.