Kathleen Rae White

Kathleen "Kathy" Rae White

October 22, 1942 – September 7, 2025

Kathy White, age 82, a resident of Redmond, Oregon, received her Angel wings and went home to be with the Lord on September 7th, 2025, in the care of Hospice House in Bend, Oregon. She battled colon cancer in 2024 and when it returned, she gracefully opted not to treat.

As Kathy Gaskins she was born to Sylvester (Sully) and Evelyn Gaskins October 22,1942 in Oak Park, Illinois. She grew up in Wheaton, Illinois and was a graduate of Wheaton Community High School.

After high school she went to school to become a registered dental assistant. She worked as a dental assistant in Illinois and continued after moving to California in the 1960's. In the 1980's she went back to school at the Santa Rosa Junior College in Santa Rosa, California. She participated in media studies and received a certification in culinary arts. She took several classes at the Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley. Living for many years in Sonoma County Wine Country she developed a passion for cooking, culinary and wine. She worked, interned and volunteered in various catering roles as well as wine industry events and wine judging competitions.

In her growing up years she attended Gary Methodist Church in Wheaton and in recent years she attended Redmond Assembly of God in Redmond, Oregon. Her personal relationship with God was a cornerstone of her life. She was faithful in serving and participating in Women's Ministry including leading and writing several bible studies.

As Kathy Schipper (her previous married name) she was a proud mom with the birth of her daughter Wendy in 1967 and her son Adam in 1970. It brought her much joy to be a grandma with the birth of her first granddaughter Ashlee in 1989 and twins Kaide and Rosie in 2016.

On June 8, 1985, she married her husband of 40 years Richard (Rich) White in Santa Rosa while residing in Sebastopol, CA. Rich and Kathy relocated to Seeley Lake, Montana in their early retirement years where they lived for 13 years before moving to Redmond, Oregon in 2016.

Kathy was a friend to many and valued those friendships, quality time and staying in contact. She was an encourager, a good listener, and was committed to lifting others up in her daily prayers. She enjoyed trips to visit family and friends across the country. She loved the ocean, drives in the countryside, relaxing with a view, cooking, entertaining in her home, photography, camping, boating, and collecting salt & pepper shakers and small Christmas trees. But, most of all she loved being with family, having family traditions and creating "perfect experiences". She will be dearly missed by many until reunited in Heaven.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Lester (Les) Gaskins. She is survived by her husband, Richard (Rich) White of Redmond, Oregon. Her daughter Wendy (Devin) Moore of Bend, Oregon and son Adam (Tiffany) Schipper of Prineville, Oregon. Her grandchildren Ashlee Wetherell of Montana and Kaide and Rosie Schipper of Prineville, Oregon.

A Celebration of Life is planned for Saturday, October 11th at 11:00 a.m. at Redmond Assembly of God in Redmond, Oregon, with a luncheon reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Samaritan's Purse - samaritanspurse.org