Vivian Butler White

TRAVERSE CITY - Vivian Butler White, 87, of Maple City, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 3, at Cherry Hill Haven in Traverse City, Michigan. Vivian was born Jan. 11, 1930, in Pontiac, MI to Lucille and William Leroy Butler. She married Gerald T. White (Jerry) on Oct. 8, 1949 at the United Methodist Church in Reed City, MI. Vivian’s early childhood was spent at the Vernor estate, where her parents served as a butler and maid. Fun stories of this time included Mr. Vernor placing her on top of a banquet table and letting her run the length. Vivian’s strong independent nature emerged when she heard other children talking about Sunday school. She was driven to find out more and took herself to the local Methodist church where she became a member of the United Methodist Church. She was involved in 4H where she first learned to cook, sew, and was introduced to needle working. All three of these early experiences would serve her throughout her life. The family moved to Port Austin, Michigan where Vivian attend High School. In her junior year, Vivian was editor of her high school newspaper which won newspaper of the year. Vivian graduated Valedictorian from High School in 1948. She attended Central Michigan where she met Jerry during her freshmen year. They were married in the fall of their sophomore year, and their adventure began. With a teaching certificate in hand and glowing recommendations Vivian landed her first teaching job in Kansas City, Kansas. During her first year, her classroom was selected as the model for the district conference. Vivian’s teaching supported the young couple and put Jerry through medical school at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences. The adventure continued when the couple moved to Trenton, Michigan, where Jerry served internship and residency in anesthesia at Riverside Osteopathic Hospital. Vivian continued teaching as the couple settled into their new life. After 8 years of dedication, hard work, and perseverance, the dream of starting a family came to fruition with the birth of their first child, Tom. As much as Vivian loved teaching, she always dreamed of adding to her family. Vivian and Jerry welcomed 3 more children (Paul, Dave, and Mary). Vivian left teaching to concentrate on raising her children. Many memories of dancing, painting, and baking were created and remain in their hearts. True to her whimsical personality, Vivian enjoyed leading off roading-adventures in the family station wagon with the kids and dear family friend Ellen in rural Leelanau County in the uncrowded days of the 1960’s. Vivian was a First Vice president of the Embroiderer’s Guild of America which awarded her a life membership for her extensive contributions to the organization. Upon retirement, Vivian and Jerry returned to Jerry’s roots in northern Michigan, where they had spent their family vacations. Vivian found an outlet for her teaching and cooking skills by teaching cooking classes for Northwestern Michigan College. A source of great pride for Vivian was the completion of her bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University in 1997 at the age of 67. Vivian was active at Central United Methodist church as the Kitchen Coordinator where she served meals for many occasions. She was awarded Central Methodist Church Woman of the Year in 1994. She was active with Jerry in the Cedar/Maple City Lion’s Club. When Alzheimer’s set in and she moved to Cherry Hill Haven, Vivian immediately volunteered to help set and clear the dinner table, and comforted many with hugs. She would join the night staff in the kitchen to help with the baking of the many chocolate chip cookies produced in those late hours. She is survived by her loving husband of 67 years, Dr. Gerald T. White; their children Gerald Thomas (Melissa) White Jr., Paul White, Dr. David (Debbie) White, and Mary Howard; Grandchildren Katie (Todd) Keating, Steven (Adrienne) Perry, Emily Perry, Emilee, Matthew and Anika White, Benjamin, Tyler and Morgan Grimm; Lillian Adele and Mason Howard; Great grandchildren Aubrey Ann White, Gracie Jane Perry, and Blakely Grimm; Sister-in-Law Helen Butler, nephew Bill (Heather) Butler; Trudy White, Ruth White, and her Cherry Hill Haven family. She cherished and loved each and every one. All thought they were her favorite. Vivian maintained a fierce love for her children and was always their #1 fan. She loved music ranging from Debussy’s Clare De Lune, Stride Piano, to Bette Midler’s rendition of The Rose. Like the character Charlotte Vale from an early favorite movie Now Voyager, Vivian told her love “Oh Jerry don’t let’s ask for the moon, we have the stars”. A Celebration of Life will be held on April 17, 2017 at Central United Methodist church at 11:00 am with visitation starting at 10:00. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Mayo Clinic for Alzheimer’s research at: Department of Development Mayo Clinic 200 First St. SW Rochester, MN 55905. Or the Leelanau County 4H: 4H Program MSU Extension-Leelanau County 8527 E. Government Center Dr. Suite 107 Suttons Bay, MI 49682. Please share your thoughts and memories with Vivian’s family by way of her online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com. The family is being cared for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Vivian Butler White

January 11, 1930 - February 3, 2017