Elaine G. White

Elaine G. White (née Elaine Godfrey) who passed away at 97 on May 31, 2020 was born in Manchester, NH to Juliet (née Guenard) and David Godfrey. She grew up in Lowell, Massachusetts and earned her Bachelor's degree in Social Work from Simmons College in Boston. Throughout her life, Elaine was independent.  Between high school and college she traveled on her own to spend a year working in Florida; after graduating from Simmons, she traveled by herself on a bus across the country, spending extended time in Mexico and California. She continued to explore a wide range of travel, as well as artistic and educational opportunities for decades.

She met her future husband, Robert B. (Bob) White, while he was serving in the US Navy during WWII.  Elaine and Bob were married in St Anne's Episcopal Church, Lowell, MA, which is now on the National Register of Historic Places. They lived in Ann Arbor, then moved to their permanent home in Bay City, MI, where Elaine continued to live until this year. Together, they traveled extensively throughout the US, in Europe, and the UK. Elaine was active in many organizations-Kiwanis Auxiliary, of which she was president, AAUW, Bay City Dance Club, Community Concerts, Junior Chamber of Commerce Auxiliary, PTA, Handy Band Parents, Meals on Wheels, and was on the board of Studio 23 for over 12 years. Art was a strong interest all her life. She studied painting, sculpture, weaving, and particularly jewelry making. Elaine was always interested in antiques and extremely respectful of those made by hand, not for their value, but for the stories about them and their owners. She was a homemaker while her two children were at home, then worked for many years as a Visiting Artist in the Bay Arts Council Program, traveling to 1st grade classes throughout the entire county as a storyteller, to the enjoyment of students and their teachers. An avid gardener and bridge player, Elaine continued both pursuits into her 90's. She loved her family, had many friends, and as she said recently "I owe the best part of my life to other people."

Her husband, Bob White, predeceased her in 2017. Her sister, Pearl Waterhouse, also predeceased her.  She is survived by her brother, David Godfrey and his wife, Donna Blair of Las Vegas, NV. She leaves her children, Sheryl White and spouse, Mark Breibart of Boston MA, Charles White and spouse, Jeanmarie McNiff of Brooklyn NY. She also leaves her granddaughters Emma Breibart-White of Chicago, IL, and Becka Simons and spouse, Stephan of Lolo, MT, a great grandson, Brayden, two step great grandsons, Blayz and Brodee, and three nieces, Julie-Anne Goodwin, Elaine Lind, Stephanie Mitchell and their families.
Cremation has taken place and private inurnment will take place at Great Lakes National Cemetery at a later date. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to make a memorial contribution to the choice of the donor.