Florence Elizabeth White

FLORENCE "PAT" ELIZABETH WHITE March 10, 1938 ~ December 14, 2011 The sweet fragrance of the Richard D. White, Sr. family of Vancouver, WA, has become absent since the passing of their precious rose, Florence "Pat" Elizabeth White on Dec. 14, 2011. Florence, otherwise known as "Pat" by her family and friends, passed away while living in the home of her daughter, Patricia A. Wride, in Moses Lake, WA after her long, courageous battle with Coronary Heart Disease and other health complications. Pat was born in Camas, WA on March 10, 1938 to the proud parents of Henry Eugene and Florence Elizabeth McBroom. She went to grade school at Woodland Elementary through the second grade, then went to Burton Holmes Elementary School at the Evergreen School District in Vancouver, WA where she saw her "honey" for the first time, playing in the lower field when she was in the third grade and he in the fifth. Pat attended 6th grade at Little Burton Elementary School, 7th at Battle Ground Jr. High, 8th grade at Union High in the Evergreen School District, 9-12th at Evergreen High School. She graduated in 1958. At the age of 15, Pat, while at the Vancouver Train Depot, getting ready to board the train to attend the State Conference in Pullman, WA for 4-H, met her soon to be husband, the same young boy, Richard "Dick" Donald White, Sr, she had seen when she was in the third grade. Both being hot-headed, soon found the joy of making up; they dated for over a year, before marrying on March 29th, 1956. Soon their family began to proceed and before they knew it, they were the proud parents of five children! Today their heritage has left a wake behind them: five children, 18 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren! Pat was a beloved housewife and soul mate for Dick, whom was proudly married to her for 55 years. To Dick, his life will never be the same as he referred to his bride as "his heart". To her children, a huge void has been left in their lives and she will be missed dearly and all look forward to the return of Jesus where their family will be reunited once again! Pat loved Avon, having served Clark County for 10 years, 9 months. She drove school bus for 11 1/2 years, both for the Evergreen School District and the Enumclaw School District and spent years working as a Secretary for several ink companies in Portland, Oregon and also for a Podiatrist in Vancouver, WA. Her first job was working as a Caregiver at the Emerald Terrace Nursing Home. When the children were still at home, both she and Dick served Clark County actively with the "Rocking-E" 4-H club, being leaders for 7 years and also serving 7 years on the Evergreen Fair Board and put on the Evergreen Fair and Parade during that time and also worked on the Fair Premium Book, gathering ads from sponsors. Pat loved bowling and competing in tournaments, enjoyed deep sea fishing and trout fishing, loved being quick witted with her husband, thus keeping him on his toes and was famous for her wonderful casseroles, fun tea parties with her children and grandchildren, along with making her fruitcake and cookies for her family and friends. Pat loved the Lord and became a member of the Riverside Seventh Day Adventist Church in Washougal, WA, October of 2001, and actively served the church as the Phone Committee Chairman, a Deaconess, and helped with hospitality meals up until the time she became seriously ill and could no longer help in that capacity. In June 2010, Pat had a heart attack that left her native heart irreparable. She was given two weeks to live. She was nursed during the summer by her daughter, Patricia Wride. In September of 2010, she and Dick moved to Moses Lake, WA to live with their daughter, Patricia and Nick Wride and their family, so that Patricia could continue to provide nursing oversight for her care. By God's grace, she lived 1 1/2 years longer than expected. She is survived by her husband, Richard D. White, Sr.; son, Richard D. White, Jr. of Helena, MT; son, Larry E. White of Amboy, WA; daughter, Catheryn (Cathy) E. White of Washougal, WA; daughter, Patricia A. Wride of Moses Lake, WA; son, William "Bill" J. White of Maple Valley, WA; four brothers, Merril (Budd) Linge, Don Linge, Duane Linge and James McBroom; and three sisters, Elaine Burks, Jeanne Bearg and Joanne Zumstein. Pat was preceded in death by her brothers, Kenneth Linge and Larry McBroom; and her parents, Henry and Florence McBroom. The family would like to thank the Riverside Seventh Day Adventist Church and the Moses Lake Seventh Day Adventist Church for their loving prayer, care, and compassion. They also would like to thank the Caring Bridge.Org website for their usage of a free website during Pat's sickness to help keep the hearts of family and friends linked. Pat will be available for viewing at the Evergreen Memorial Gardens on December 17th from Noon to 9 p.m. and again on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The memorial service will be at the Riverside Seventh Day Adventist Church in Washougal, WA at 5 p.m., Sun., Dec. 18th. A dinner will follow after the service. Pastor Merrill Caviness will be officiating. Donations can be made in tribute to Pat to the Riverside Seventh Day Adventist Building Fund, P.O. Box 367, Washougal, WA 98671 or a tribute can be made to www.caringbridge.org/visit/patflorencewhite in honor of Pat.

Florence Elizabeth White

March 10, 1938 - December 14, 2011