Woodstock, Vermont

Beatrice "Becky" May White, 88, passed away at her home on the afternoon of September 24, 2018. She was outdoors, living life to her fullest, up to her last moment.

Becky was born in Windsor, Vermont on June 17,1930, daughter of William and Vivian (Royce) Ryan. She lived in Windsor until she was orphaned at the age of 10 years old. She then lived for a time with Dr. Eastman and his wife in Woodstock and later with Elroy and Topsy Baker, also of Woodstock on the South Road. Becky attended the one-room schoolhouse in South Woodstock.

Becky had four siblings: Buster, Mary, William and Johnny. For a while, Becky lived with her sister, Mary, in Rutland. She later married Ralph Earl White of Woodstock on December 4, 1948. They lived in the old family homestead with her father in-law and mother in-law, Rob and Abbie White, along with her sister in-law and brother in-law, Ginny and Harlan White. Her other sister in-law, with whom she was very close for many years, Carolyn Harrington, lived right next door as neighbors with her husband Raymond Harrington.

Later, Becky and her husband Earl built a house next to the old homestead and had two children: Gloria Ann (Gates) and Roger Earl White. She lived in that house, across from the stone-arch bridge, until the day she died. While raising the children, Becky also worked as a housekeeper at the Woodstock Inn. Later, she worked as a housekeeper and cook at The Homestead. Becky also drove some of the residents to various appointments and did their laundry and whatever else was needed. Yet she went beyond that. She shared her time and attention with people in so many ways. She was truly an angel on earth to many she touched. She was very hard working and fiercely independent. She could fix just about anything and loved to tinker and make things. She was an excellent cook and extremely crafty. She made beautiful afghans and lots of things from plastic needlepoint. She would try just about anything, even quilling and cut and pierced lampshades. She gardened and pickled and baked. She and Earl would love to go motorcycle riding and snowmobiling with Carolyn and Ray. She and Carolyn even experimented with making their own dandelion wine. Becky had a vibrant spirit and loved life. Despite the hardships of her younger years in life, she had an extremely positive outlook and a wonderful sense of humor. When her daughter was grown and married, she gave Becky two wonderful grandsons: Abraham and Tyler. Later when Roger married, he and his wife Ginny gave her two beautiful granddaughters: Melissa (Missy) and Amanda. As a grandma, she was the best. She cared for the grandchildren whenever there was a need, often times bringing them to work with her at the Homestead. As the children and grandchildren grew older and after her husband Earl passed away, Becky met a new companion, Gordon Reilly. They spent many years together traveling, camping and gambling. Right up to the day before she died, Becky went gambling with Gordon. Becky was also an excellent great grandmother to four great grandchildren: from grandson Abraham and his wife, Michele, she has  Mia and Mason.  From her granddaughter Missy and her husband Luis Gomez, she has Rosa, Lucia and William. Becky would love to come together to celebrate their birthdays, holidays and watch their soccer games. She was a wonderful great grandmother. As was the Gomez family, very caring and attentive to her. They had a loving relationship.

Becky is survived by the family mentioned above and various cousins and nieces. She is pre-deceased by her husband, Ralph Earl White and her grandson, Tyler Gates along with her parents, siblings and many extended loved ones.

We will miss her greatly, but in our hearts we know that she is at peace, without pain and will always be looking down upon us lovingly.

There will not be viewing hours or a funeral per se. Rather, there will be a family graveside service at a future date. Simply hold Becky in your heart and smile when you think of her. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association in her name. Thank you.