In loving memory of

Patricia Mary White
April 17, 1929 - April 12, 2020

Patricia Mary White, April 17, 1929 - April 12, 2020

Patricia M. White, age 90, long time resident of Grosse Pointe Park, died peacefully Easter morning, April 12, 2020. A native of Detroit, she was born April 17, 1929 to the late Joseph Martin White and Marie Motz White. She is survived by her dear twin sister Betty (Maurice) Greenia. Patricia was preceded in death by her brothers Joseph (Rose) White, Jr., Dennis White (Kathleen) and sister Mary White. Beloved and generous aunt to 19 nieces and nephews and many grand nieces and nephews.

Patricia was a graduate of St Charles Borromeo H.S., earned a bachelor's degree and teaching certificate from the University of Detroit in 1952, and returned for a master's degree in reading in 1959. She taught at a Department of Defense school in France and traveled extensively throughout Europe and South America in the 1960s. Pat was especially committed to teaching children with reading difficulties and was a dedicated elementary school teacher and reading support specialist in the Roseville Public Schools for more than 30 years.

Patricia was a proud parishioner of St Clare of Montefalco Catholic Church, a devoted member of the Third Order of Saint Francis (Secular Franciscans) for more than 70 years and an active volunteer in the Father Solanus Casey Guild.

Pat loved to garden, read and travel. She was a champion and cheerleader for each niece and nephew, sending cards for each birthday, delivering gifts every Christmas and throwing elegant wedding showers and family celebrations. In her retirement years, she and her sisters Mary and Betty became known as the "Angel Makers". Every year they made hundreds of angels, hand delivering them to sick members of the parish and to those in nursing homes bringing Christmas cheer to many. Patricia was a woman of deep faith, kindness, generosity, and an exemplar of the Jesuit motto, "Men and women for others". What a legacy and example she left for her nieces and nephews to follow!

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Clare of Montefalco Catholic Church, 1401 Whittier, Grosse Pointe Park, 10:00am, Saturday, September 19, 2020. Memorial donations can be made to Fr. Solanus Guild, 1780 Mount Elliott Street, Detroit, MI 48207 https://www.solanuscenter.org/donate.

Tributes

Janet Sturza wrote on Sep 6, 2020:

"Miss White was my first grade teacher in 1958. I became a teacher and met her in the 1970s at a workshop. It was wonderful to see Miss Snow White, which I had always called her to myself. I am retired now and still think of her fondly. "

Christopher White wrote on Apr 30, 2020:

"I was not old enough do you know aunt Patty as a world traveler and adventure. She was never boastful about her accomplishment, she was always humble and gracious. The Aunt Patty I know was part of the dynamic duo known as ?Aunt Patty and Aunt Mary.? She was definitely her own individual, and definitely the one getting things done. (Well, at the very least she was the one driving the car.) I am so grateful for the summers known as the Lakeville lake summers for me. When they bought that beautiful orchard property that required a fair amount of fixing up. Looking back at it, it was a wonderful memory of summers of working hard and spending time with my dad and his two sisters and Aunt Mary and Patty. There were at least three things you could always count on when visiting them. One. You would always be greeted with a true sense of love and joy. Two. They would always always have a smile on. Three. You could always count on them for a cookie, scoop of ice cream or both if you stayed long enough. I figured it was my duty to eat that. Because who knows they would probably just give it to one of the dogs anyway? And by the looks of Fudgy (the dog), He didn?t need any more cookies or snacks. I never met my Grandfather White and I was too young to know Grandma White. But what I can tell you is that the children that they raised were absolutely outstanding people! The entire family is filled with loving people, just simply the best of humanity, righteous and kind. Aunt Patty & Aunt Mary, DAD, Uncle Joe & Aunt Rosie, Aunt Betty, They when on to teach and inspire thousands of students . The lessons you taught as a teacher and mentors by your own gracious behavior I have informed my life and I have passed that on to my daughter, Brooklynn. Aunt Patty, your legacy of kindness, compassion, adventure and love live on through all the people you have touched in your lifetime. I am grateful to be one of those people. Thank you for making the world a better place Aunt Patty, you?ll be dearly missed. Knowing that you will be reunited with Dad & rest of the family members? (and a dogs in heaven) . Makes me feel a little bit better. :) With love from your nephew Christopher White and family "

Dennis White wrote on Apr 28, 2020:

"Mary & Patty. Simply one of the greatest shows on earth, during my lifetime. What a rare joy to have known them. I will never be able to separate them in my mind and heart. The boundless optimism and positivity. Purity of heart and of thought. Mary: "Would you like some ice cream, Little D?" Me: "No thanks, Aunt Mary Mary: "But ice cream is GOOD for you, Denny!" Me: "uhhhh.... how's that, exactly?" Mary: "because it makes you feel good.. and anything that makes you feel good, is GOOD for you!" Patty: "Its true, Little D..." Oh Girls... take me to your leader. Patty- I love you, dear. I'm happy in the knowledge that you are peacefully among the blessed in God's kingdom in Heaven. What a blessing to have known Aunt Patty, Aunt Mary, and while I'm processing the thought... my Father's entire family. A magnificent batch of good apples on that family tree. Love to all.- Dennis White, Los Angeles, CA"

Kakthy White wrote on Apr 28, 2020:

"Aunt Patty will be remembered by her sweet nature and generosity. The first example of her huge heart was when she gave her brother and I the Volkswagen Beetle she brought back from Europe, I had never witnessed such generosity. Aunt Patty always found the good in everyone and was devoted to her family and faith. Such a gift to have known her."

Madeline Petrylak wrote on Apr 23, 2020:

"Pat worked at my building in Roseville and came to visit my class often. She was so kind and gentle with the students! Her life was exceptional, and now may God grant her peace in His arms!"

Scott White wrote on Apr 21, 2020:

"Patty was, in one word, the embodiment of kindness. Each and every one of us that had the distinct pleasure of having Patty in our lives knew what a blessing she was. Her kindness, faith and generosity never wavered. She was always quick to offer whatever she had, and her faith was an inspiration. The world has lost a loving soul, but if each of us can try to be as kind to one another as Patty was to all, then we have gained through her legacy. Thank you Patty. With Love, Scott, Lisa, Cameron, Nicholas & Hannah White"