1918-2003

FLORIDA – Helen Toomey White, 85, passed from this life early in the morning of Nov. 30.

She was born on Feb. 27, 1918, in Arlington, Mass., the daughter of Teresa and James Toomey.

Helen served her country proudly in the Women’s Army Corp during World War II. It was during her tour in the WACs that she met and married Harold S. (Bud) White Jr. of Auburn. They were married on May 19, 1944.

Their life in Auburn was a rich and rewarding one. Helen dedicated her life to raising her three children. She was noted as an ardent and cheerful fan at baseball games and swim meets when her children participated. This well-earned reputation followed her through to the activities of her grandchildren. She had a hearty laugh, a quick wit and a wonderful dry humor.

As the children grew older, she assisted as a bookkeeper at the family business, Whiteholm Dairy Farm in Auburn. She was an avid golfer and she and Bud spent many happy afternoons with their friends at the Fairlawn Golf Club in East Poland.

She loved the ocean and its beaches. She and Bud moved to Florida in the late 1970s and lived 12 great years together in Sunny Hills, playing golf and visiting the Panama City area. She moved back to Auburn in the early 1990s. After her husband passed and her grandchildren had grown and moved on, she moved back to Pensacola, Fla., where she loved the beaches, participated in social activities such as the “Giggle Club” and enjoyed the warm Florida weather.

Her hobbies included reading, ceramics, decorative painting and she had a wonderful eye for antiques. She enjoyed traveling and social activities. Her visits back to Maine always required a lobster dinner.

Survivors include: her three children, Harold S. (Bud) White of Westcliffe, Colo., Marilyn Ann White of Winchester, Mass. and James M. White of Orono; her five grandchildren, Julia Catron of Ft. Mead, Md., Alan White of Chester, W.Va., Jason and Jesse White of Orono and Brian Sherman of Brookline, Mass.; and her sister, Bobbie Barrett of Winchester, Mass.

Helen was predeceased by her husband in 1992, after 48 years of marriage.



TO RUN TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY

OBIT AND PHOTO SENT SEPARATELY.

WHITE, Helen T. 11/30/03 Memorial service Thursday 1 p.m. with visitation from 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Committal Mount Auburn Cemetery. A service of The Fortin Group/Plummer & Merrill Funeral Home, Auburn, Turner & Center Sts. 783-8545 www.dignitymemorial.com