Sharon Louise White

Sharon Louise White, 88, of Walpole, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on the evening of November 7, 2025, at New Pond Village, surrounded by love.

Born on June 15, 1937, in Carroll, Iowa, to Carl Edward and Margaret Sarah Schroeder (née Rohovit), Sharon grew up in Jefferson, Iowa, where she graduated from Jefferson High School and met the love of her life, Donald Dean White. The two went on to attend University of Iowa together before beginning a rich and adventure-filled life side by side.

Sharon was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Dean White; her long-time partner, Richard Byrne; and her brother, Clare Schroeder. She is survived by her three beloved children — Gregory White (Jean), Allen White (Pamela), and Andrea Reissfelder (Bob) — who were her constant pride and joy.

She also leaves behind eight grandchildren — Elizabeth (Ryan), Ann-Elise, Ethan (Molly), Kaitlin (Edward), Matthew (Elizabeth), Alexandra (Ian), Lauren (Zach), and Brian — and three great-grandchildren, all of whom brought her endless happiness.

Sharon lived a full and vibrant life marked by curiosity, kindness, and laughter. She was an avid bridge player, golfer, and gardener, and her hands were rarely still — whether tending to her flowers, shuffling a deck of cards, or playing an interminable game of Shanghai. A lifelong lover of music, Sharon played the piano beautifully and could rarely resist the urge to dance when a favorite tune began to play.

Sharon also had a deep love for animals. There was never a time she didn’t have a pet in the house. Molly Bea was her loyal companion for 18 years until she passed in 2023.

Throughout her life, Sharon called many places home — from suburban Chicago and Westwood, Massachusetts, to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and The Villages, Florida. Yet her heart was especially drawn to Belgrade Lakes, Maine, where she and Don built a cherished family retreat on Great Pond in 1974. There, surrounded by family and friends, Sharon found joy in tennis matches, long afternoons by the water, and laughter echoing from the porch.

In her later years, Sharon’s sense of adventure never waned. She loved to travel and treasured memories from her trip around the world with her dear friend, Pat Lane — a journey that perfectly captured her spirit of wonder and friendship.

A private family service will be held, and Sharon will be laid to rest beside her husband at Westwood Cemetery in Westwood, Massachusetts.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Animal Welfare Society

https://animalwelfaresociety.org/give/