Submitted by: Dan Rich
Dec. 4, 1922 - Feb. 2, 2008
South Bend Tribune 2/8/2008
NEW CARLISLE - Mary L. White, 85, of New Carlisle, died at
2:45 p.m., on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008, in Hamilton Communities
with her sister, Leah, by her side. Mary was born on Dec. 4,
1922, at home in New Carlisle to Ben and Eva White. Mary was
preceded in death by her niece, Claudia Carr. She is
survived by two sisters, Verna (Ray) Birse, and their
children, Barb (Dave) King, Doug (Cindy) Birse and Robert
Birse; Leah (Bill) Carr and their children, Jim (Day) Carr, Dave
(Karen) Carr, Dale (Nancy) Carr, Steve (Ina) Carr, Cheri (Bill) Hagerman,
Sue (Scott) Dobbs, Joe Carr, and Ken (Tammie) Carr. She is
also survived by 29 great-nieces and nephews and three
great-great-nieces and nephews; her aunt, Ruth Martell
from Three Oaks, MI; and her beloved dog, Muffin.
Mary graduated from New Carlisle High School
in 1940. She worked at both I&M Electric and Bendix Corp. in
South Bend, IN. During WWII, she served in the Civil Air Patrol.
Mary moved to San Diego, CA, in 1956. From 1956 to 1987 she
worked at Convair which became General Dynamics in San Diego in
the Data Systems Division Western Center Building as a secretary
for Mr. Paul Confoni who was the division vice president and
Western Center Director. In 1998 Mary moved back to New Carlisle,
IN. Mary was a member of the Maple Grove United Methodist Church,
New Carlisle. In recent years, she attended the New Carlisle
Wesleyan Church. Mary lived a full and exciting life. When she
was younger, she was on bowling teams both in Indiana and San
Diego. She won many trophies. She loved to travel and enjoyed
visits to many of the states and also to locations out of the
U.S. She enjoyed crafting, especially knitting. She knitted
dishcloths that she gave to her family and friends. She liked to
golf, put puzzles together, cook, play card games and go out to
eat. She was adventuresome. In recent times, you would often see
her sitting on her front porch with Muffin by her side enjoying
the colors of nature and the sounds of the birds chirping. It
would put a smile on your face when you saw her cheerful little
golf cart traveling around town, and you knew that she was maybe
going to "Nics" or to get her mail. Mary always greeted
people with her special smile and a friendly "hello."
Her great sense of humor and quick wit usually had someone
laughing. She touched the life of each member of her family in a
special way, and the memories that she made will be treasured
always.
Cremation will take place. A memorial
service will be held at 3 p.m. South Bend time on Saturday, Feb.
16, 2008, in the New Carlisle Wesleyan Church, with Rev. Don
Bayne officiating. Lakeview Funeral Home and Crematory, LaPorte,
is in charge of the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be
made to the Maple Grove United Methodist Church, 6655 E. 1000
North, New Carlisle, IN 46552; and to the New Carlisle Wesleyan
Church, 32645 Early Road, New Carlisle, IN 46552.