Gloria White was born on Thursday (Holy Thursday), April 1, 1926, in Jamaica, WI. She was the daughter of George Hanna and Augustine Darling. She attended Alpha Academy where she excelled in all her studies. Upon graduation she worked as a secretary at the Civil Service Association but yearned to come the United States where she felt more opportunities would be available to her. That dream came true when she arrived in New York on June 30, 1951.
A few days later the family was having a 4th of July party. She did not the know the meaning of the American holiday and did not want to attend. However, after persuasion from her cousin, she decided to go. There is where she met her future husband, Christopher. They talked throughout the party and he introduced her to some of the American food which at time she did not like as she was missing her Jamaican home food. That was the start of their friendship - once Christopher laid eyes on Gloria, that was it for him! A year later on November 22, 1952, Gloria and Chris became husband and wife. They bore 2 children - Kevin and Debra.
In the early 60’s, they moved to Mount Vernon In Westchester County where they bought their first house to raise their family. Gloria got a job in the school system as a teacher’s aide at Grimes Elementary School. She loved her job helping young children learn to read and write and the children loved her. After a few years into this role, she decided she wanted to be more devoted to her family becoming a mom and homemaker. She loved to cook and bake providing delicious meals for her family and for family gatherings at different holidays.
Gloria was also a seamstress. She could sketch an outfit and sew it in a few days. She had a room that was devoted to sewing only with her sewing machine and where tons of material was stored making clothes for herself and her daughter, Debra.
In January of 1979, the family moved to Greenburgh, NY where they bought their second home and where they continued to raise their family. Once again, she continued to be a mother and homemaker. On August 29, 1992, she became a grandmother to her sweet granddaughter, Sarah. She took care of Sarah from she was 6 months old until Sarah went to first grade because her son Kevin and his wife Mary had to work. Sarah and Gloria were inseparable even to the end!
On December 6, 2016, Gloria became a great grandmother to Alex Lizarazo - the son of Sarah and Carlos Lizarazo. Up until her death, she loved FaceTiming with Alex every night talking and laughing at the things Alex did.
Gloria was a devoted wife, mother and a beautiful individual. She was married for 64 years to her beloved Chris upon his death in 2016. She had a feisty personality and always enjoyed people - friends and family. She was very well known in her neighborhood and will be truly missed.
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The Entire Staff of Lee's Funeral Home, LLC respects that the family of Gloria White entrusted the care of their loved one to us, and that they value the level of service & attention our funeral home provides. We are honored, in turn, to provide comfort, assistance and service to the family of Gloria White during their time of bereavement.
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Private cremation has already been held. But there will be a Memorial Service, the basic information & RSVP tab for which is posted herein under Service Details. The Family requests you Please indicate you will be attending by using the RSVP feature here on our website, as there is limited seating with COVID considerations. The Memorial Service will also be livestreamed, and the link to watch will be available/live on that day, July 6th. Please still leave condolences now herein on the Memory Wall to express your sorrow, share your memories, and as an expression of sympathy & way to communicate with/offer comfort to the family, that they and others may see, and may be a lasting tribute in her honor.
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As a lasting tribute, In Lieu of flowers the family kindly instead requests a contribution be made in her name/memory/honor to Calvary Hospital (may be done on your own or also through the donation tab/link here in website at the bottom of this page). As cremation has already occurred, NO flowers should be sent to the funeral home, though you may also choose to plant a tree in her name/memory/honor as another lasting tribute, or despite the family's NO flowers but contribution request instead, possibly send flowers to the family or church Wed. 7/6 by 9:30am. The Family Thanks You!