Auriel M. White

WHITE, AURIEL M. 'AURIE', 85, died at the home of her daughter in West Linn, Oregon on November 27, following a short illness. She was born in Jamaica Plains, New York on April 22, 1922 to the late Edward H. and Clara (Choate) Meister of Setauket, New York and Cumberland, RI.

She attended New York State University's Crane School of Music in Potsdam and graduated from The Katherine Gibbs School in New York City. In 1942, she married the late Cmdr. Kenneth B. White of Cumberland and moved with him to the West Coast during his distinguished service in the Pacific as a Navy aviator aboard the U.S.S. Carrier, Hornet. They were married for 60 years.

Ken and Aurie settled in the Arnold Mills section of Cumberland in 1951. Aurie, a formally trained pianist and coloratura soprano, sang in Rhode Island choruses, musicals and operettas. She was a founder of the Community-Ites, an Arnold Mills organization celebrated for its musical productions. She was an active member of the Cumberland Garden Club, winning prizes for arrangements created from her extensive gardens. She was a talented artist, excelling in painting, English smocking, and the fabric arts. She served on the Board of Trustees of The Lincoln School in Providence and was an active member of The Rhode Island League of Women Voters, Cumberland SAGA, and Planned Parenthood. A member of the Providence Meeting of Friends (Quakers), she was an active presence at the New England Yearly Meeting. In her later years, she was a member of the Arnold Mills United Methodist Church, where she participated in church and community groups. Of her many charitable interests, Aurie was particularly committed to environmental and animal protection causes and was knowledgeable about local flora and fauna. She will be missed for her enthusiasm, her infectious laughter, and her love of life.

Aurie is survived by her three children, Kenneth B. White II and his wife, LaVonne and Charles H. White II and his wife, Anne, all of Cumberland and Laurie C. White-Dugoni and her husband, Jay of West Linn, Oregon; and seven grandchildren, William White of Brookfield, Vermont, Rebecca White of Marlboro, Massachusetts, Catherine White of London, England, and Meredith, Ben, Hannah and Jonathan Dugoni, all of West Linn, Oregon. Her brother, Edward H. Meister of Setauket, New York predeceased her. Aurie is also survived by her sister-in-law, Ella and three nieces, Holly, Lindy and Patsy.

A Memorial Service will be held SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8 at 2 P.M. in Arnold Mills United Methodist Church, 690 Nate Whipple Highway, Cumberland. In lieu of flowers, a charitable gift, given in Aurie's memory, to The Cumberland Land Trust, 23 Thompson Hill Road, Cumberland, RI 02864 would be appreciated. For Guest Book, please visit www.bellowsfh.com. Arrangements by BELLOWS-FALSO FUNERAL CHAPEL, 160 River Road, Lincoln.