Submitted by: Dan Rich

 

Mary L. White

Dec. 4, 1922 - Feb. 2, 2008

 

South Bend Tribune 2/8/2008
NEW CARLISLE - Mary L. White, 85, of New Carlisle, died at 2:45 p.m., on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008, in Hamilton Communities with her sister, Leah, by her side. Mary was born on Dec. 4, 1922, at home in New Carlisle to Ben and Eva White. Mary was preceded in death by her niece, Claudia Carr. She is survived by two sisters, Verna (Ray) Birse, and their children, Barb (Dave) King, Doug (Cindy) Birse and Robert Birse; Leah (Bill) Carr and their children, Jim (Day) Carr, Dave (Karen) Carr, Dale (Nancy) Carr, Steve (Ina) Carr, Cheri (Bill) Hagerman, Sue (Scott) Dobbs, Joe Carr, and Ken (Tammie) Carr. She is also survived by 29 great-nieces and nephews and three great-great-nieces and nephews; her aunt, Ruth Martell from Three Oaks, MI; and her beloved dog, Muffin.

 

Mary graduated from New Carlisle High School in 1940. She worked at both I&M Electric and Bendix Corp. in South Bend, IN. During WWII, she served in the Civil Air Patrol. Mary moved to San Diego, CA, in 1956. From 1956 to 1987 she worked at Convair which became General Dynamics in San Diego in the Data Systems Division Western Center Building as a secretary for Mr. Paul Confoni who was the division vice president and Western Center Director. In 1998 Mary moved back to New Carlisle, IN. Mary was a member of the Maple Grove United Methodist Church, New Carlisle. In recent years, she attended the New Carlisle Wesleyan Church. Mary lived a full and exciting life. When she was younger, she was on bowling teams both in Indiana and San Diego. She won many trophies. She loved to travel and enjoyed visits to many of the states and also to locations out of the U.S. She enjoyed crafting, especially knitting. She knitted dishcloths that she gave to her family and friends. She liked to golf, put puzzles together, cook, play card games and go out to eat. She was adventuresome. In recent times, you would often see her sitting on her front porch with Muffin by her side enjoying the colors of nature and the sounds of the birds chirping. It would put a smile on your face when you saw her cheerful little golf cart traveling around town, and you knew that she was maybe going to "Nics" or to get her mail. Mary always greeted people with her special smile and a friendly "hello." Her great sense of humor and quick wit usually had someone laughing. She touched the life of each member of her family in a special way, and the memories that she made will be treasured always.

 

Cremation will take place. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. South Bend time on Saturday, Feb. 16, 2008, in the New Carlisle Wesleyan Church, with Rev. Don Bayne officiating. Lakeview Funeral Home and Crematory, LaPorte, is in charge of the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the Maple Grove United Methodist Church, 6655 E. 1000 North, New Carlisle, IN 46552; and to the New Carlisle Wesleyan Church, 32645 Early Road, New Carlisle, IN 46552.