Obituary of Kathleen White

Mrs. Kathleen White, a dedicated nurse and devoted partner, friend, sister, aunt, mother, and grandmother, died peacefully at her home in Newport Hills, WA on May 27th 2023 at the age of 76.

Kathleen is survived by her partner (Ron Eberly); her children (Brian, Jay, and Matt White); her sisters and brothers (Margaret Raymond, Mary Spencer, Paul Brick, Dorothy Verry, Angela Lim, and John Brick); and grandchildren (Ash, Niamh, and Liam White). She is predeceased by her brothers (Jim and Mike Brick); and her mother and father, Mary Catherine and Paul Brick.

Kathleen was born in Coral Gables, Florida on November 28, 1946 to a large family of 8 brothers and sisters, and many aunts, uncles and cousins. She attended Immaculata Catholic High School from 1960-1964. She was active in the school being Editor in Chief of the school newspaper and yearbook, glee club member, and cheerleader. One schoolmate astutely described her early on as “a person with high ideals and the strength of character to stand up for what she believes.” Kathleen held true to this description for the remainder of her life.

Kathleen loved dance and performing, a natural proclivity she passed on to two grandchildren - Niamh (Irish dance), and Liam (ballet). Beyond dance, Kathleen was deeply passionate about helping others, which inspired her to join and graduate from St. Vincent’s School of Nursing in 1967 in Jacksonville, Florida. Kathleen married Eric White in 1970, and traveled from Florida, to California, and finally to Washington State while he was in the Airforce. While raising 3 kids, Kathleen had a stunning, near 30 year career as a registered nurse at Madigan Army Medical Center, Group Health Hospital, and finally Overlake Medical Pre and Post Natal Care Unit. Kathleen’s impact was profound, helping the delivery and care of over 7,280 children. Her own kids fondly remember the countless mothers and fathers who would stop her at grocery stores, parks, and malls wanting to thank her and ask for advice. Never did she fail to stop and take time out of her day to help new parents. Her kids especially loved when those new parents were Mariners, Sonics, or Seahawks players. She continued her passion for supporting women as a volunteer at abused women shelters and as an advisor for mothers managing post-partum depression.

Kathleen made everyone feel welcome. On any given day, one would find her home in Newport Hills full of neighborhood kids who she equally loved and cared for as if they were her own, and her younger brothers and sisters who needed a little slice of home after moving out west. She was a cub scouts den mother and troop lead for the Lowell School for special needs, a youth baseball score keeper, and always a loud cheering fan at her sons' football, basketball, and baseball games. She loved and guided tirelessly, no matter how exhausted from long night shifts. While a stroke in 2000 stopped her career as a nurse, she never stopped service to others. She was a spiritual women and regularly attended mass at St Anthony’s, she served coffee and smiles at an assisted living center in downtown Renton, and she, and her partner Ron, opened the AA meeting room 3 days a week for years to help those in need. She was a devoted mother to Ron’s children and grandchildren and close confidant to Ron’s mother. She will be deeply missed by her friends, family, and all who knew her.

A funeral service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on July 14th at St Anthony’s Church in downtown Renton. Father Tom Belleque will officiate. Flowers, donations and condolences may be offered at 416 S 4th St, Renton, WA 98057

Our Mother was beautifully colorful, and so in her honor, colorful dress attire is welcomed.