SALEM- Christine M. Whalen (McManus), 94, of Salem passed away peacefully on the evening of Friday December 4, 2020. Born in Peabody, Christine was the daughter of the late Christina J. (Heeney) and James W. McManus.

Christine attended St. James Elementary and High School. She then graduated from Emmanuel College with a BA in Social Studies with a minor in Biology. She went onto working as an administrative assistant in the Trust Department in banks in and around Salem.

Christine shared 47 wonderful years of marriage with her beloved "Edward" and she lived in the Whalen family home for a total of 71 years. She was an avid reader of the newspaper and non-fiction books.  Christine's faith was a central part of her life and she watched Catholic Television every day. She loved her desserts and coffee and she was known for her love of Hershey bars as well. Above all, she enjoyed being called "Nana" by so many, and will be remembered as an intelligent, independent woman by all who knew her.

She is survived by: her children Christine A. Gunn and her husband Charles, Mary Lou Bombaci and her husband Peter, Anne Marie Savy and her husband Joseph; grandchildren Matthew C. Gunn and his wife Minka, Jonathan E. Gunn, Michael J. Whalen, Sarah Bombaci and partner Dan Hyland, Jessica Hasiotis and her husband Costa, Vanessa Jenner and her husband James, Laura R. Morales; and 6 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by: her husband Edward T. Whalen; her son James C. Whalen; grandson Jason P. Bombaci, Sister Marjorie T. McManus .

Services are private due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Memorial contributions can be made to Catholic TVNetwork c/o Bishop Reed PO Box 9196 Watertown , MA 02471. For more information or online guestbook, please visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com or call 978-744-0497.