Ivah H. White

Ivah H. (Howard) White, 97, of Gloucester, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 25th, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Union, Maine, she was the daughter of the late Angelo and Dorothy (Cummings) Howard, and the devoted wife of the late Amos White, Jr., with whom she shared 67 years of marriage.
Ivah grew up on a small farm in the town of Union, Maine, where her childhood was filled with simple joys and laughter. She often told stories of swimming in the St. John's River behind the farm, sledding down the field's big hill, and how her father fashioned skis from old tractor inner tubes and wooden slats. One of her favorite memories to share was her daily chore of collecting eggs from the chicken coop - a task she disliked so much that she'd occasionally "accidentally" drop a few, hoping to be relieved of the duty (she never was).
A proud graduate of Union High School, Class of 1946, Ivah was a point guard on the basketball team before attending Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy MA. to pursue nursing. During her first semester, she met the love of her life, Amos, at a church camp. Not long after, he called and told her, "It's now or never." It was now-and forever.
Ivah and Amos married on February 1, 1947, and began their life together in Manchester before settling in Gloucester to raise their growing family. Their first home on Mansfield Court offered long walks along the boulevard, which she cherished. Eventually, they moved to Concord Street, a home Ivah initially resisted but later called it "one of the best decisions we ever made."
Raising eight children kept Ivah busy, but she built a rewarding 26-year career at Addison Gilbert Hospital as a medical secretary. Her duties included phlebotomy-something she often "practiced" on her patient children at home. On weekends, she worked at Nichols Candies, delighting her kids with boxes of chocolates she brought home. After Addison Gilbert, she spent five more years at Cape Ann Medical Center before retiring in 1992.
Retirement didn't slow Ivah down. She cherished her time with family-her greatest joy-and extended her care to others, babysitting for friends and forming lifelong bonds with their children. She also volunteered at Essex Elementary School, reading to kindergarteners each week, a role that brought her great happiness.
Family gatherings were Ivah's favorite moments, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas. Her homemade pies-mincemeat, blueberry, apple, and the much-fought-over rhubarb-were legendary. On Christmas mornings, friends and neighbors gathered at her home for her beloved fried dough breakfast tradition.
A devoted member of the Essex Congregational Church, Ivah found deep joy in the
Christmas Eve service each year. She loved the quiet beauty of winter, a good snowstorm, and morningwalks along the boulevard or through Ravenswood Park. She and Amos shared countless meals at Lobsterland and later enjoyed many winters in Naples, Florida, where they built cherished friendships.
Ivah's gentle humor, kind heart, and storytelling spirit left a lasting imprint on everyone who knew her. She found beauty in simple moments and joy in the company of others-whether they were family, friends, or those she met along life's path.
Ivah is survived by her two daughters, Elizabeth Lane and her partner Robert Ritter of Stratham, NH, and Susan Morris of Gloucester; six sons, Thomas White of Las Vegas, NV; Amos T. White III of Hollis, NH; Jane White of Nashua, NH; Michael and Robin White of Stratham, NH; Jeffrey White and Susan Nallan of Bethel, ME; Richard and Bobbet White of Gloucester; and Mark and Lisa White of Concord, MA. She also leaves 16 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren, her sister-in-law Nancy Howard of Union, Maine, and many beloved nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her brothers Dwight and Robert Howard and her sister Eileen Howard.
A funeral service celebrating Ivah's life will be held at Essex Congregational Church, 39 Main Street, Essex, MA, on Saturday, November 15th at 4:00 p.m., with a reception to follow at Riverbend, 39 Dodge Street, Essex, Ma. Relatives and friends are warmly invited to attend.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ivah's memory to Essex Congregational Church or Care Dimensions at www.caredimensions.org.