Rachael Leadbetter White
1926 – 2010

GULFPORT, Fla. — Rachael Leadbetter White, a Gulfport, Fla., resident since 1981, passed away Friday, Feb. 19, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in North Livermore, July 8, 1926, the daughter of Shirley and Nellie Danforth Leadbetter. Her happiest childhood memories were of life on the farm she shared with her family. She graduated from Farmington Normal College and briefly taught elementary school.

Shortly thereafter, she married Shelton White. Together they raised their children in various locations throughout Maine. She was the family’s guidance, nonjudgmental, but quick to provide counsel with her simple philosophical outlook on life. Her enjoyment in life was family, travel, the books and literature that surrounded her. She embraced the simplicity of life and in a biography written for one of her grandchildren, she made several notations that truly reflected her calm demeanor: “Do the best you can with what you have … Learn to keep cool. Very few of life’s catastrophes are earth-shaking … Cultivate patience with others and with yourself … Renew your interest in life with new experiences.”

 Besides life on the farm, her other favorite location was the camp on Stinchfield Point, Leeds, property that had once been in her father’s family. There were many family gatherings, campfires, games, cards, slumber parties and memories to last a lifetime.

She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Shelton; children are Bruce, Alan and wife, Marcia, Sam and wife, France, Callie and husband, Bob; daughter-in-law, Carole White-St. Pierre; brother, George Leadbetter; 13 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and special nieces and nephews.

Her parents; several siblings; daughter, Janice; and son, Laurence, predeceased her. Loving, independent, non-judgmental, considerate, patience are a few of the adjectives her family will always recall and cherish.