"Marilyn was the first person to welcome me to Highland in 1964 and the first person to welcome me to the staff of Wesclin schools. That was the beginning of a long, enduring friendship. She helped me be a better teacher; she helped me improve my sewing skills; she taught me to be patient; she taught me to work through problems rather than merely complain. We shared many wonderful times in Trenton, in Highland, in Hull, and in Florida. I will always treasurer those memories. Donna Singleton "
In loving memory of
Marilyn Kathryn White
December 22, 1939 - October 7, 2022
Marilyn White was a detailed planner and organizer. If it weren't for Parkinson's, Marilyn would have written her obituary.
Marilyn Kathryn (née Meyer) White, age 82, passed on October 7, 2022 in Quincy, Illinois.
She was predeceased by her husband Sammy B. White who passed in 2010 and her parents, Maxine Meyer (née Stephens) and William in 2009 and 2004, respectively. She is survived by her son Stephen of Chicago, Illinois.
Marilyn was born December 22, 1939, in Lincoln, Illinois. She graduated from West Pike High School in Pike County, Illinois and went on to earn her baccalaureate degree in Business Education at Southern Illinois University - Carbondale (SIUC) in 1961. Her master's in Business Education, also conferred by SIUC, would follow. In 1961, Marilyn, Sam, and Stephen moved to Highland, Illinois and lived there until 1981 when they moved to Hull to help with the farm and other family matters.
Marilyn excelled in her professional life, and she was extraordinary in her personal life as well. She exercised her commitment to excellence in all that she did; as a result, she accomplished a great deal and inspired others to excel as well. Her students and her friends will attest to that. She was efficient and effective, and those qualities were coupled with sincerity and generosity. When aware of a problem or need, she was quick to find a solution or offer assistance.
Marilyn began her teaching career in the Wesclin School District in New Baden and Trenton, Illinois in 1961 and taught there for 12 years. She taught business courses including typing, secretarial practice, business communications, shorthand, and accounting. She also served as the director of Vocational Education. In her business and secretarial classes, she established an office-like atmosphere with appropriate desk arrangements so that students felt they were working in an office environment, and assignments were presented with that approach--as jobs. She was a challenging teacher yet encouraging, compassionate, and fair.
Marilyn's contribution to Wesclin students did not stop in the classroom. She devoted her time and energy to a host of extracurricular activities. She was faculty sponsor for the cheerleaders: as such, she only requested the squad attempt gymnastic feats within her own ability. She also served as advisor for the pep club, the newsletter, and award-winning yearbooks. She did not miss a basketball game, the school's primary sport.
After moving to her hometown, Hull, Illinois, Marilyn continued her teaching at West Pike High School, her alma mater. In addition to teaching her business classes, she introduced computers into her classroom and into the administration office. Once again, she was the faculty advisor for the school yearbook which won several awards. Marilyn received the highly-regarded Golden Apple Award for lifetime achievement as an educator in the region.
Marilyn's professional role blended with her life outside of school. Her role as teacher required attention to editing, and she demonstrated a true commitment to perfection in editing and proofreading; she took that aptitude to the highest level in her teaching and in her personal life, preferring not to read for her own enjoyment because she turned the activity into work. She was also known for--notorious for--editing family letters, with an unapologetic return to the sender.
As in her professional roles, Marilyn worked full-speed in her personal life as well. She always had activities and chores well-planned and fast-paced. She was impatient with automatic door openers at businesses because they were too slow.
Marilyn always had several projects in progress. One of her many passions was sewing. Early in her teaching career, she often designed and sewed her own clothing, and she was the go-to-person for sewing assistance among her friends. In addition to clothing, she was skilled in making many other items. Her sewing machines were always humming. Marilyn was adept at quilting. She used her quilting expertise not only for bed quilts, but also for table runners, placemats, and wall hangings. She was very generous with the fruits of her sewing labors; friends and family were fortunate recipients. When the sewing machine was not humming, her crochet hook was busy. She tackled large, granny square afghans with her usual project organization, figuring out how many squares must be completed each day if the afghan were to be finished by a deadline--Christmas, for example. For a brief and typically focused period of time, she demonstrated needle point, for her, was surmountable. If a project were admired by a friend, she would offer directions and a sample, or a gift. Marilyn's enthusiasm was usually over the top; for example, she sometimes had seven Christmas trees in her house in December.
When Marilyn's Parkinson's slowed her down a bit, she shifted her energy and enthusiasm in 2006 to be a co-founder, with Sam and a few significant friends, of the Hull of a Race, a group hosting a 10K, 5K Race, Run, Walk, Roll event to raise funds for Parkinson's research. The group has donated some $10,000 or more a year to the St. Louis chapter of the American Parkinson's Association. She approached Parkinson's and other difficulties with a matter-of-fact attitude of just getting on with the task at hand rather than complaining. Her fervent spirit would sometimes be punctuated with frustration in the gentle form of "Mutter, mutter." Her attitude inspired others to carry on, no matter what curve balls life throws.
She loved her pets and had several throughout the years. Her cocker spaniel, Sugar, was a recent companion. Bart, a Britany Spaniel, was her other son. A pair of Siamese Cats earned a special place in her inner-circle with beauty and quirky devotion.
Visitation: 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 10, 2022 at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home.
Memorial Service: 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 10, 2022 at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Parkinson's Disease Association--Greater St Louis. (https://www.apdaparkinson.org/community/st-louis/)
www.hansenspear.com
Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.
Tributes
"Marilyn and I taught together for over a decade. She was an inspiration for all of us, staff and students. Rarely did she miss activities and sporting events, her bag of papers to grade always with her. Debbie Wasowicz"
"Photos of some of Marilyn's legacy, wintering in Florida at Mardi Gras, her pride and joy "Sugar" and the Hull of Race fundraiser for Parkinsons Research. We are missing her. "
"You were a one-of-a-kind lady. You were hands down my most favorite teacher! I loved every single class I had with you and LOVED yearbook. I am known as the ?sticky note queen? at my job and I always tell my co-workers I got that from you. I love you, Momma White and may you Rest In Peace. Love, Sandy Hamilton "
"Deepest sympathy Steve?. Marilyn was my ?Angel on earth?. ?? Rescued me at one of the lowest time of my life, opened her heart & home to me and my babies. Living in Hull beside Marilyn for a year was a true blessing. Everyone who came in contact with Marilyn was deeply blessed. Learned so much from Marilyn, may she rest in heavenly peace. Love & prayers ???"
"My deepest sympathy to you during this sad time, Stephen. Your Mom was a wonderful lady who will be greatly missed by all who knew her.??"