Obituary of Ivy Mary Veronica White

It is with great sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of our mother, Ivy White, wife of the late Thomas P White, at her residence on Wednesday, December 30, 2009. Ivy was born in Liverpool, England on March 3, 1919 and emigrated to Canada with her sister, Violet, at a very early age. She was educated in local schools beginning with Beaconsfield. She was raised by her grandparents, the late Samuel and Mary Ann (Plant) James, in Beaconsfield, formerly Lancaster, NB. As a young woman, she met and married local athlete, Tommy White, who represented Canada as a Speed Skater in the 1936 Winter Olympic Games in pre-war Germany. Ivy re-connected with her younger half-brothers and sisters in England in the mid 60’s and made many visits to them over the years. She was especially close to her sisters, Mary (Mikel) Satanow and Iris (Bill) Hulse, and their children. A well known local business woman, Ivy owned and operated, along with her husband, a grocery store in Rockwood Court from 1949 until the business was expropriated for the throughway in the mid 60’s. Ivy was then employed by the NB Provincial Hospital (CentraCare) until her retirement in 1984. Ivy was living proof that cancer can be beaten, having been stricken with lung cancer in 1989. She was fond of a good game of cards, chocolate, loved the Blue Jays and Maple Leafs and listened to the Sea Dogs on radio. She was looking forward to the 2010 Olympics, especially the Canadian hockey and speed skating events. In her earlier years she was a supporter of many East End minor sporting teams and community events in Rockwood Court. She was also a supporter of Air Cadets locally and provincially. Ivy was predeceased by her husband, Tom, sister, Violet, and infant daughter, Janet. She is survived by her two sons, Tom Jr, and his wife, Heather, of Quispamsis and Frank and his wife, Juanita, of Saint John; grandchildren, Joan White (Mike Blizzard) of Saint John, Tom White (Claire Driscoll) of Rothesay, Chris White (Jennifer McLean) of Port Colborne ON, Dr. Robyn Ramsay (Andrew) of Summerside PE, and one great-grandson, Nicholas Blizzard. The family would like to thank the Staff at St Joseph’s restorative care unit, WeCare Home Health Services, the ExtraMural Hospital staff, VitalAire and her caregivers for their dedication and companionship to our mother over the past year. To her neighbours in Sister Shelia Residence, Mom really appreciated your friendship and often remarked that she wished she had moved there ten years earlier. Resting at Brenan's Select Community Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424), with visiting on Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. The funeral service will be held from St. John Baptist (Mission Church) and St. Clement Church, 815 Millidge Avenue, on Monday, January 4, 2010 at 1:30 pm. Interment will take place in Cedar Hill Extension Cemetery. For those who wish, Ivy requested remembrances to St. John Baptist (Mission Church) and St. Clement Church Building Fund or any charity of their choice.