Esther Ann Whalen, 95

Albany, N.Y.

Sister Esther Ann Whalen, a member of the Religious of the Sacred Heart, who devoted her life to her religious order and appointed ministries, the Salve Regina University community, and the sport of sailing that she loved so dearly, died on Wednesday, Dec. 5 at the Teresian House in Albany, N.Y.

Born on March 14, 1923 in New York City, Sister Esther was the daughter of the late Grover A. and Anna Whalen. Sister Esther professed her sacred vows on Feb. 10, 1954 and dedicated her life to the Religious of the Sacred Heart. Prior to her arrival at Salve Regina in Newport, R.I., where she worked for more than 30 years, she was the special assistant to the president of the Sisters of Mercy, in Providence, R.I. In addition, she served in a variety of roles at Sacred Heart institutions including Elmhurst Academy, R.I., Newton Country Day School, Mass., and Stone Ridge Country Day School in Washington, D.C.

One of her greatest joys was time spent sailing, and she had a special affinity for the student-athletes who were a part of the Seahawks sailing team. She helped start the university’s sailing program more than three decades ago, and was inducted into the Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association (ICSA) Hall of Fame during a 2008 ceremony at the prestigious New York Yacht Club. She was also a past recipient of ICSA’s Outstanding Service Volunteer Award. To honor Sister Esther’s legacy in the sport and to ensure that her passion for sailing is carried forward, her family established the $100,000 Sister Esther Whalen Sailing Endowment at Salve Regina University.

Sister Esther loved being on the water, and, in her later years at Salve Regina, often accompanied the Salve Regina sailing team, proudly coaching, with megaphone in hand, from her position on the chase boat during practices and regattas. One of the boats in Salve Regina’s fleet is named Sister Esther in honor of her commitment to the program, which catapulted to national prominence during her tenure.

Those who had the privilege of knowing Sister Esther can now rest assured that she is enjoying fair skies and heavenly sailing, with God as her co-captain, and is most likely instructing Him on how to best navigate the waters ahead.