Virginia Smith White, age 93, died Thursday, September 13, 2012 at Wesbury United Methodist Community, Meadville, PA. She was born on July 3, 1919 in Indiana, Pennsylvania, a daughter of the late James Atchison Smith and Iva Houston Smith. She lived in the Cambridge Springs area from 1947 until moving to Meadville in 1992. For the past 3 1/2 years she was a resident at Wesbury United Methodist Community.
A graduate of Westtown Friends School in West Chester, PA and of Wilson College, Chambersburg, PA, she worked as a chemist for the Armstrong Cork Company in Lancaster and as a teacher at the Friends Select School in Philadelphia where she taught physics, chemistry, and mathematics.
After her marriage to Grandfield White on July 12, 1947, she taught mathematics at Titusville Junior High School from 1966 until her retirement in 1981.
She was a member of the State and County Associations of Retired Teachers, Meadville Antique Study Club, Meadville Women’s Literary Club, and the League of Women’s Voters of the Meadville area since its inception. She was formerly a School Board Member of the Townville Area School Board, a member of the Gam-Sac-Mah Women’s Club in Cambridge Springs, a member of various Boards including the Red Cross of America, the Crawford County Historical Society, Associated Family Services, the Crawford County Federation of Women’s Clubs, and was a member of the Humane Society of both Erie and Crawford Counties, and the Erie Zoological Society. She belonged to many environmental groups and was a member of the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation for over 40 years.
Virginia is survived by two sons – James White and Harry White and his wife, Mary Ann all of Cambridge Springs; a step grandson – Jeremy Vitaro of Princeton, NJ; a step granddaughter – Suzanne Wiley of Seattle, WA and their respective families. Virginia was also preceded in death by a sister – Dr. Sara Smith Sutker and her husband.
Friends may call on Sunday afternoon from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. at the Barco Chapel, Wesbury Community, 31 N. Parke Avenue, Meadville. A private burial in Gravel Run Cemetery, Woodcock Twp, will follow. The Van Matre Family Funeral Home in Cambridge Springs is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the Crawford County Humane Society, 11012 Kennedy Hill Road, Meadville, PA 16335.
To the family,
We would like to express our condolences. I remember Virginia’s smile whenever I would be over at your home. She always made me feel welcome.
Thoughts of Virginia bring a smile to my face. She was so warm and hospitable, inviting me to her farm home not long after we met when she found out that I was raised on a farm. Her interests were so wide-ranging and outward-looking. I admired her and felt her to be a kindred spirit in many ways. It was a pleasure to know her. Although we did not see each other often, she left a sunny impression, even when she first moved to Wesbury. My sympathies and regards to her family.
Becky Borthwick-Aiken
Harry and Mary Ann, I met your Mom through Gam Sac Mah. When I joined the club, Virginia was living in Meadville. The drive to Cambridge Springs didn’t bother her at all. When I think of her, that fantastic smile is always on her face, such a lovely lady.
In 2001 when my husband and I bought a home in Florida, I was openly grumbling about the long drive we made from here to there. Very cheerfully, Virginia told me that she comes and goes to Florida any time she pleases. But, she said, “now that I’m 83 and driving alone, I take 3 days for the trip”. Then we all laughed together about what a wimp I was, especially being outdone by an 83 year old lady.
By the way, her name is still on our records as a current member, I guess no one wanted to admit that she might have trouble driving the short distance.
May God bless your entire family, but then He already has, He has given you a lifetime with Virginia.