Dorothy White-Merriam
Died: March 27, 2016 | Place: Victoria Hospital
Obituary
WHITE – MERRIAM, Dorothy…… Peacefully with family at her side, God took Dorothy’s hand and led her to His Kingdom on Easter Sunday, March 27, 2016. Beloved wife to the late Wilson Frederick “Wils” White (1985) and the late James Merriam (2010). Dorothy was in her 91st year and was a loving mother to William (Gale) and Wayne (Barbara) of Toronto; Brian (Marlene) of London; Brenda of Windsor. She was proud Nan to nine grandchildren Vivien, Mike (Annette), Kristopher, Alana, Amy (Glen), Brent (Lisa), Ben (Holly), Laura (Mike), Rebecca (Joe), and to 18 great grandchildren. Dear sister-in-law to Ron White (Din, deceased) of Mississauga, Mary (Andy, deceased) of Chatham and beloved aunt to her nieces and nephews. Dorothy raised her loving children, and with a heart devoted to the Lord’s work, she was also a Foster Mom. She raised seven devoted girls Debbie, Janice, Janet, Jackie, Cassie, Adrienne and Ashley. She opened her heart and home to over 300 children over a span of 35 years. She will be missed by the White, Merriam and Craven families. A heartfelt thank you to Florence and Linda, her Personal Support Workers who cared for Mom. Your help was immeasurable and gratefully appreciated. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to the Salvation Army, 371 King Street, London ON N6B 1S4. Friends and family will be received at Mount Zion United Church, 471 Ridgewood Crescent, London, on Saturday, April 2, 2016 at 9am, followed by the funeral service at 10am, with Reverend Barbara White officiating. Interment in Woodland Cemetery, London. A. Millard George Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com Dorothy White’s Life & Times Tribute please visit https://youtu.be/k6bYp5n-Qqg
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Aunt Dorothy was a lady that loved life and all the people especially the children of the world. She would always make you feel welcome with that warm fuzzy feeling giving, caring about your every thought. Now in heaven with the rest of her beloved family and friends may she rest in peace. Love always…XOXOXOO
It is with regret, that I learned of Dorothy’s passing. I worked with both she and her late husband, Wilson, in the Foster Care Program of the London C.A.S. , and in their role as long term foster parents, or emergency placement parents. They gave each of the many children, special care and affection. They provided a unique environment for these children, and we are all better for the contribution they made to our society. My sympathy to the family.
Judy Goldberg.
There really are no words to express How special Nan has been to soooo many of us who were blessed to get to be a part of this Amazing, Selfless, Giving woman’s Life!! She taught me so much and has truly made me the person I am today!! I will never forget you, and I am so thankful to you for treating me like your own!! Rest in sweet peace Nan!! You got your wings on the most special day!!! I always knew you were an Angel in disguise!!! Love you always!! ??????????
The world lost an amazing and wonderful person, but im glad she is in a better place. I will miss her greatly but I will always have great memories of her from how she would put our hair in rag knots to make them curly after our shower to how she helped takw care of my sister and I when we were really young and our parents had their hands full and even how in elementary school we would go over there every wednesday and have peaches and cottage cheese with fresh bread for lunch. She was a very kind lady and always cared for others. She might have lived a simple life but it was a long great one and she touched many peoples heart. Good bye Nan, I love you and always will ??
Nan and I had a really special bond I will never forget. We shared everything and hold each others secrets. She saved me and many other children’s lives and devoted her life to making a difference in each and everyone of us. She molded me in to the successful women I am today and I can not ever repay her for the love and faith she had in me. She was a real life angel doing the Lord’s work. Putting everyone she met before herself. I will never forget our goodbye. But we will see each other again. Love you very much.
-cassie
I will never forget the many trips we took as a family. The Saturday morning trips to the 10cent candy store. Most of all the love and respect you had and taught me. I will miss you dearly but I know we will be together again.
what amazing lady she was. so blessed to have had such a loving and giving person to call mom. will never forget the day her and dad gave me away at my wedding and the amazing trip to mexico . she gave so much love and joy to so many foster children over the 50 plus years I knew her it is something I will never forget. I will love you always.r.i.p.
I was blessed to be chosen as her foster daughter. God sent me an angel! She was so loving and kind, accepting me into the family and making me feel very part of it. Mom taught me how to love and to be loved. I cherish that in my heart I have the fondest memories of her love for singing she had a beautiful voice. I am thankful you are at peace, but i will deeply miss you and our chats..Time doesn’t heal. Healing takes time. I love you always .. Love Deb
Dorothy’s love and spirit will live on…she touched so many lives and has earned her rest. (hugs)
This is and was an amazing lady!! The world is a little darker without her in it now. But it’s up to those she touched to help light the way.
R.I.P nan
Even though we knew it would happen soon it’s still hard, especially since she was the last of our grandparents. Nan meant so much to everyone who knew her and was always there for her family and foster kids. We’ll miss her and her stories from times gone by but we’ll always have her love for all us and great memories. May you rest in peace Nan, you will be missed greatly. You’re with the other angels and your other loved ones now.
Nan you are amazing! You taught us about faith, joy and love. We will miss you deeply! Little moments created so much happiness. Your strength and love never ends. “This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine” We send you our love Nan.
Nan
From the time I was a little girl to this day you changed my life for better. I will never forget the great summer we had togerther and how much fun we had. You will always be in my heart and everything I do from this day on. Thanks for loving me and my boys.
Love you always Aftan
Dorothy known as Nan was my foster mother for 10 years along with Adrienne and Cassie. Her family treated us well, as if we were her own children. She took us to church every Sunday, showed us Gods love and loved us no matter what we did. Every night Nan made us healthy dinners and sometimes we had jello or ice cream for dessert. I really miss her cooking… and we always said grace before we ate. She was a great example for me to learn by and I know I will get to see her again.
Nan was a truly remarkable person who, along with her entire family, opened her home and her heart to Foster kids like me, and provided me with the gift of an amazing childhood filled with cherished memories such as Christmas, camping, and tap dancing (which she used to take the time to stay to watch). As I got older I realized how lucky I was to have Nan in my life for my formative years, and what a role model she was. Nan, I was so blessed to have you as my second mother, and no words can express my gratitude and how much you influenced my life. RIP Nan xo
I see by the smile that Dorothy still retained it forever…..I lived beside her and Joe/Lil for many years….She was an incredibly beautiful woman and I truly loved her….Spent many social interactions over the fence with her….she made my mother feel at ease with her gregarious personality who by the way is still living at 95 Langarth St…..Mary is 96…we were new to Canada and Dorothy did not view the language as a barrier….sign language..smiles…nods…all worked for her in welcoming us….loved Joe and Lil as great neighbours for years…..I personally had many good times with them….Bud/Bill ..I had a huge crush on you ….so handsome…??…I perceive Dorothy to have had a good life even in adverse times….we on Langarth talked about her many times over the years….wishing all of you the best in life.????
Here are just a few things I remember as a child about Nan. I loved Nan very much. Growing up I called her grandma and she never asked me to call her Nan. I think it was our thing. I ate way too many walnuts with pops one night and threw up all over the floor of the bedroom, a real mess. With a smile she had me clean and back in bed. I felt so much better. She encouraged me to spend more time with pops, told me how to get involved in what he was doing. I did and loved every day that summer on the farm. She always amazed me by the way she handled people. So many under one roof and crazy at times – arrow through the bedroom door, boys shooting each other with BB guns, hair spray cans blowing up in the garbage fire – but she always had it under control. I didn’t quite know how, I just knew. I loved her food, always sooo much food and sooo much variety. I especially loved her tomato and mayo sandwiches. I was never hungry with Nan but no drinking until your plate was done. Having the time of my life with her and pops and uncle Brian and all the foster kids on the big bus trip to Disney World. She gave me freedom, safety, love and discipline. She didn’t ask it of me she gave it to me. I thought she was the richest grandma on the planet. Who wouldn’t after a Christmas with Nan. I will miss her but will always have these memories. They are part of me and helped shape me into who I’ve become. I can never thank her enough for that.
More memories of Nan
Nan has a heart of gold. She taught routine and morals. She was always available to talk to, no matter what stage of life you were at. She had good advice about life in general. I have special memories of spending time on the farm with everyone. I found it exciting to be there. There were always a ton of people at the table, Nan had the biggest kitchen table I had ever sat at. We went there to celebrate every holiday when I was young. Christmas was exciting, when I was really young, I remember skate boarding and eating ants at her and Pops house in the city of London, everone brought exciting surprises. I listened to her trip to asia and couldn’t believe what a big world was out there. When I was really young, I remember her singing “This little light of mine, i’m going to let it shine…” she taught strength in the face of adversity. She knows how to keep going. One of my favorite times when I was young was going to a sunday school picnic or up at the camper bus. Nan would paint on T-shirts and kids would enter potato sack races. Pops searched all of Florida for the best oranges, Nan would make us lunch and take us swimming. It was a great place to be. Now I have my own 2 daughters and they had the joy of spending time with Nan and everyone. She will be missed dearly but her love and strength will continue with us always.
xo Viv
Dear Mom, you took your last breath on Easter Sunday, and then the Lord graciously took you Home to live in His presence. You looked forward to seeing Jesus and your beloved Grandma Wee. We are celebrating your wonderful life, full of prayer, praise and serving your Lord by singing your favourite song The Old Rugged Cross and participating Holy Communion. Thank you for telling us stories about the Lord Jesus and impressing upon us and all the children in your care to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart , with all your soul, and with all your strength.” Thank you for you for your heart that overflowed with God’s love. Your goal from the beginning was to be the best mom. Dearest Mom you succeeded.
May God take you into his Kingdom and reward you for all your deeds, rest in Peace Amen
To Nan,
As a little girl visiting you, my gramma, I found it bewildering to be in the hustle and bustle of your busy household. But as I grew up, I started to understand all that you were doing for your family, friends, church, and community. It appeared as though you were a woman who could hear God’s whisper in your ear and you took action to follow “the Plan”. I learned to look for the light in my heart and try to shine it out into the world. You told me in our last visit that “my life was a mix, some good, some bad…” but my memory is of a strong woman who always carried herself with dignity and always showed compassion. When I close my eyes and think about you, I still hear your remarkable laughter. Miss you, Nan. Love, Amy xo
Was it her smile? Was it her cheerful voice? Her unconditional love? Was it just the fruit of God’s Spirit oozing out of her? Now 70 years of age, I remember as if it was yesterday, using our lunch hour from high school to walk up the short slope to see Mrs. White. As we got closer, we could often see many bottles of milk on her doorstep. Her house always being full of children, you’d almost think she was a busy lady, but as she answered the door to us, her face and greeting would tell us she had been waiting in anticipation all morning, hoping we would come. Now, she is being welcomed into her eternal home, receiving her crown with many jewels that she can cast at the feet of her Savior. What beautiful memories she made for me during my teen years. I can only imagine how much her family will miss her.
As one of your foster kids.. Thank you mom for instilling me with such of your great beauty of people,life, the lord and love, You will be sadly missed