Mary Catherine White

Mary Catherine Loucks White, 89, of Salem, VA, went to be with the Lord following complications of dementia on Saturday, March 3, 2012 with her loving family, caring nurses and friends at her side. She was born in Barberton, Ohio, a daughter of the late Robert Loucks and Mary Zema Loucks and had also resided in Phoenix, AZ and Charlottesville, VA prior to locating to the Salem area over 32 years ago. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Gregory G. White, two brothers and a sister. Mary Catherine lived the great depression in extreme poverty. War exploded upon us all so she worked in aircraft factories and telephone switch boards five days a week to support our troops, yet, she still managed to send affectionate letters to her GI husband three times a week to boost his morale. After the war, and as the family grew, Mary became its cornerstone. She loved motherhood and received in turn the worship of her husband and children as the best mother and wife anyone could ask for. As an empty nester she became hostess of Roanoke County Parks and Recreation Duplicate Bridge Club, using her homemaking skills to become revered by all. It came to pass that she retained the yearnings for homemaking in her later years, until March 3, 2012, when she became our Guardian Angel in Heaven above. She is survived by her loving husband of 67 years, Emery A. White; a son, Daniel D. White and his wife Betty; a daughter, Rosemary White Mariner; a grandson, Keiffer A. White, as well as a host of loving family members. The family would like to take this opportunity to thank Father Kevin Segerblom, Rev. John Furman, Rev. Dr. Eric Surat, Dr. Donald R. Williams, Dr. Childers of Lewis-Gale, Dr. Gary Crawford, Good Samaritan Hospice, Lisa, Pam, Pat and Malinda, Roanoke Valley Concierge, Tammy, Mary, Suzie and Kathy, Susan Anderson, Chris Desimone, the congregations of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church and Westminster Presbyterian Church, and special friends, Ellis Holmes and Hartley Gaston. Funeral Services will be held at 11AM, Saturday, March 10, 2012 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church. The Rev. Kevin Segerblom will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Andrews Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8PM Friday at John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home. Salem. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimers Association, PO Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090. An online guest book is available for family and friends by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.