PLATTSBURGH — Mrs. Beatrice Alexina White, 94, of Prospect Avenue in Plattsburgh, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012, at the Meadowbrook Healthcare Facility in Plattsburgh. She was born in Keeseville on April 21, 1917, the daughter of Isaac and Alexina Minnie (Abare) Lamountain.
Beatrice attended St. John's Catholic grade school and graduated from Keeseville High School in 1934. She had a deep fondness for the nuns who taught her and spent many hours at the convent with them. She dedicated her life to Jesus Christ as a child, and after much thought, chose marriage over becoming a nun. On April 18, 1938, she married Donald R. White in the chapel of St. John the Baptist Convent in Keeseville, with the nuns in attendance.
Beatrice leaves behind daughter Gail Ball of Clearwater, Flo.; daughter and son-in-law Susan and James Geddes of Plattsburgh; daughter-in-law Yvonne (Loya) White of Hayes, Va.; sister-in-law Valeda Bashaw of Peru; 13 grandchildren and their spouses, Candy and Warren Douglas, Andrew and Jeana White, Randy and Barbara White, Lindsay White, Marilyn and Steven Mascia, Lori and Paul Binggeli, Shannon Ball, Julie and Dalton Walters, Rosemary Bell, Sherman Baker, Steven and Sandra Geddes, Jamie and Jason Crossley, Brandon Grom; 22 great-grandchildren and spouses; seven great-great grandchildren, all deeply cherished; and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was predeceased by her husband; her parents; a son, Eugene White; a daughter, Carol White; and five brothers, Alfred, Leonard, Raymond, Edward and Antieme Lamountain; and three sisters, Mabel Blaise, Merilda Labounty, Anna May Labounty and their spouses. She was a member of the Peru VFW Auxiliary, the Keeseville Knights of Columbus Auxiliary, the Keeseville Catholic Daughters, the Malone Marine Corps League Auxiliary, the Keeseville and Plattsburgh Altar-Rosary Societies, the Anderson Falls Heritage Society and the Senior Citizens Group.
Beatrice was a tiny faith-filled woman, whose greatest love was people. Her poems, songs, stories, letters and cards inspired many. As a "prayer warrior," she lived every day with Jesus as her partner and Heaven as her goal. She shared her mother's words, "There's good in the worst of us, and bad in the best of us." Bea never looked down on anyone and always saw the good in that person. Until she sold her home in 1998, many knew they could stop by midday for a bowl of "Addition soup" and a cup of coffee. Her legacy is loyalty and love.
Calling hours will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, at the Brown Funeral Home, 29 Broad St., in Plattsburgh. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 10, St. Peter's Church. Interment will be in St. Augustine's Cemetery in Peru at a later date. Donations in Beatrice's memory may be offered to Birthright, 66 Clinton St., Plattsburgh, NY 12901 or the charity of one's choice. Arrangements are entrusted to the Brown Funeral Home, 29 Broad St., Plattsburgh, NY 12901; (518) 561-3980. Online condolences may be made and memorial candles lit at www.brownfuneralhomeinc.com.
