Catherine R White

Catherine White (nee Kelly) was born in Brooklyn on August 28th 1934. She was the third of the four daughters of Joseph and Mary (Maguire) Kelly, originally from Longford, Ireland. Upon receiving the news of her birth, her paternal grandmother wrote that it was a beautiful omen that the redheaded baby was born with the "veil" over her. This referral is to an en caul birth, a medical rarity widely believed to portend a long and fortunate life. This turned out to be an accurate prediction.
She spent her childhood in Marine Park with her three sisters, Anne, Helen, and Dolores. Their lives revolved around family, neighborhood, and the Good Shepherd parish, peppered with the occasional trip to the beach. Many an aunt, uncle, or cousin, passed through the two-family house on 31st Street as visitors or tenants. Though times were hard through the depression and then the war, what little the family had was freely shared with others, and many a meal and card game was enjoyed by all.
At St. Brendan's High School she was the captain of the basketball team and was active in many other leadership positions. She attended night school at the Brooklyn campus of St. John's University, graduating with an Accounting degree in 1956. She worked her way through school with jobs at A&S and the Coca Cola Bottling Company of New York, where upon graduation she became the first female accountant they employed.
While at St. John's she met Jack White, an army veteran from Washington Heights studying in the same program. They met at a bar near the school and he asked for her phone number and then never called. A year later they met again, and the second time he got her number, he was wise enough to use it. They married in 1956, shortly after graduation.
Between 1957 and 1968 the couple had Maureen, Eileen, Mary, Jack, Joe, Mike, Catherine, and Jean Marie. They moved from Brooklyn, to a house in Rockville Centre, eventually moving next door to a house that was beautiful, but run down. Catherine lovingly restored and expanded the center hall colonial. She took particular pride in her backyard gardens. Her dearest wish was to stay in her home and her family was fortunate to be able to honor that.
Catherine was a devout Catholic, a proud patriot, a tireless volunteer, a fierce bridge player (and competitor in general), devoted wife and mother, and loyal friend. She also had a keen sense of humor, which she held on to even in her final days. She dedicated herself to a life of service and civic responsibility. She was an active member of the St. Agnes Mother's Club, the Mercy Junior League, several women's clubs, and the St. Vincent DePaul Society. She held leadership roles in them all. She was a 2014 recipient of the prestigious St. Agnes Medal awarded by the Diocese of RVC, for her volunteer work at the Cathedral Parish. Always a proud alumna, she was also honored by the St. John's Alumni Association. She was active in many bridge clubs, playing her last game just three weeks before her death, and winning two dollars to boot. She worked as a Tax Accountant at Dunn and Fogarty for many years. Along the way she acquired many elderly client friends who she took under her wing and guided through difficult transitions. Widowed young herself, she had a particular affinity for helping those in the same position.
Catherine died on January 1, 2026, in her home, and under the care of her family, after a fall and a several-month-long decline in health. She was pre-deceased by her husband Jack, her parents, and sisters Anne and Dolores. She is survived by her sister Helen Fetish, her eight children and their spouses, her twenty-two grandchildren, and her ten little loving great-grandchildren. As portended long ago, it was indeed a long fortunate life, and a life well-lived.
In lieu iof flowers or gifts, donations can be made in Cathorine's honor to: St. Vincent de Paul Sociery - St. Agnes Chapter and mailed to Dan Meehan, Treasurer, 14 Forest Place, Rockville Centre, NY 11570. For questions call Mike Marrin (516)554-3807.