Patricia Alden White
Patricia Alden White died on April 15th, 2009, passing peacefully after a rich, full life. She was surrounded and embraced by family and friends. Patti was no stranger to all of life's diversity -, to joy, hardship, success, pain, love and above all wonder - and embraced them all equally, with a mischievous and playful spirituality.

Born November 20th, 1934 at Mass General to Lillian Varney White and Lewis Barnard White, Patti spent her formative years - and indeed all of the happiest years of her life - in Marblehead. She attended Marblehead Schools, and later graduated in 1956 from Stevens College in Columbia, Missouri. Following her college graduation, she returned to the north shore to Boston to work, and also continued to pursue a life long interest in the arts. During her involvement in Junior Aid Society Musical Review, she met and danced with a young man from Dartmouth College who made a date with her to attend the Boston Pops. This first date led to a wonderful courtship that culminated on June 23rd, 1956 when Howard Smith and Patricia White were married.

They returned to Marblehead to live and over the next six years Patti gave birth to her three beloved daughters; Sandy, Kimberly and Teryl. Then and always, Patti needed and pursued her own special identity and she followed her passion for the arts the magic of life in helping to found The Magic Lantern Playhouse, a children's theater group.

Following her divorce from Howie in 1966, Patti entered one of the happiest and most fulfilling periods of her life, including several adventurous and joyful years sharing the energy of her three young growing up in Marblehead. During this time, Patti developed and enjoyed a fulfilling relationship with Jack Kehoe that lead to their marriage in 1973. Pattie always reflected that their shared passion for travel and friends allowed for a wonderful and fulfilling partnership. Jack's four children – Maura, John, Kevin and Brendan and Patti's family merged together for ten energetic and wonderful years.

Pattie's most challenging years ensued but she managed to turn adversity to her advantage during a period of reflection, change and ultimately, growth, a growth that emanated from her extraordinary spirit and energy. Although she experienced the first of four cancers that were to be her constant companion for the rest of her life, Patti instead chose to focus her energy on her friends and family instead. Patti also rededicated herself to her career and became arguably one of the truly premier brokers on the North Shore with Carlson Real Estate. The combination of her intuitive sense of people and her wonderful esthetic sense of style, architecture, and personal environment allowed her to make buying or selling real estate a joy for her clients. closing on her last sale in December 2008.

Patti was always engaged in the present, even as she plotted her future. Her personal growth saw her embrace change and opportunity with equal enthusiasm and was deeply committed to a holistic approach to life. She loved the sensual – the wind on her face, the beauty of a cardinal's feather; she embraced the spiritual - walks on the beach at sunrise, her beloved meetings, the musings of a mystic; and above all, the simple human element.

She created and appreciated beauty, and through her extraordinary spirit, became more so herself. While the love of her friends was matched by her mischievous energy above all else, she loved adored and cherished all of her children and grandchildren.

Visitation hours will be held on Friday, April 17th, at Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St., (cor of North St) Salem from 4 PM to 8 PM. A private burial service will be held on Saturday morning followed by a celebration of Patti's life at the Old North Church in Marblehead on Monday, April 20th at 4 PM.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent either to the Marblehead Counseling Center, 56 Clifton Street, Marblehead, MA 01945, or to Wilson House ,PO Box 46, East Dorsett, VT 05253. For online guest book or additional information please call 978 744 0497 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com.