Christa White

Williamsburg - Christa White, 63, of Williamsburg, Virginia, died at home of lung cancer on Sunday, October 29, surrounded by her husband and three daughters. She also battled early-onset Alzheimer's for the past five years.

Christa was born in Erie, PA on June 24, 1960 to Art and Virginia Dietz. She, her two sisters and two brothers were raised in Lawrence Park Township in Erie County. She often talked about her terrific childhood, her friends, and her close, loving family. She adored her parents and her Gramma Dietz and spoke with pride about her Grandma & Grandpa Greenlee who were leaders in the Lawrence Park community.

Christa graduated from Iroquois High School where she was captain of the girls' swim team and Homecoming Queen. She then attended Edinboro University of Pennsylvania (her Grandma Greenlee's alma mater) where she earned a bachelor's degree in early childhood education. She met her husband, Ken, late in their freshman year at Edinboro. They married shortly after graduation. The couple celebrated their 39th anniversary in July.

Christa was a Kindergarten teacher at St. Gregory's School in North East, PA before she changed careers when the couple moved to Missouri in 1990. There, she was the director of human resources at St. Francis Hospital for ten years. After the couple's three daughters were born, the family moved to Virginia in 2002. Christa stayed home for a few years with their daughters before returning to teaching, spending a decade at St. Anne's-Belfield School in Charlottesville teaching Preschool. A wonderful mom and wife, Christa was a swimmer, runner, master gardener and gifted teacher. Those who knew her, loved her. She was smart, fun, beautiful and kind. She had a contagious laugh and cared greatly about those in her life. She was special.

Christa is survived by her husband, Ken of Williamsburg; their three daughters, Casey White of Richmond, VA, Kelley White-Olesczcuk of Ft. Worth, TX, and Kenzie White of Jacksonville, FL; her mother, Virginia Dietz of Erie; brothers, Jeff Dietz and Tim Dietz of Erie; sisters, Lisa Rose and Susan Armstrong of Erie; a son-in-law, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and many friends and countless former students. She was preceded in death by her father.

Friends and family are invited to celebrate and remember Christa at a memorial service in Williamsburg at 1:30 pm on Saturday, November 11 at the College of William & Mary's Brinkley Commons located in Miller Hall at 101 Ukrop Way.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations in Christa's memory to the Williamsburg Landing Adult Day Center, 5000 Woodhaven Way, Williamsburg, VA 23185, Attention: Sally Wolfe.

The family wishes to acknowledge and extend a heartfelt thank you to the Williamsburg Landing's Adult Day Center staff. Their love for Christa, their patience and professionalism were beyond amazing.

In addition, the family thanks the professionals at ProMedica Hospice. Words cannot express the gratitude we feel for the compassion and care you showed Christa and our family.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.NelsenWilliamsburg.com for the White family.