Dorothy Josephine White

Dorothy Josephine (Berger) White, 93, died peacefully on December 11th, 2010. After caring for each of the during their last days, Dorothy has now joined her beloved husband Tony, her parents Charles and Grace Berger, her siblings Richard, Bernice, Lucille, Charlotte and Audrey in eternal rest.

Dorothy was born on January 27th, 1917 in Franklin, Michigan. She spent her childhood living on her parent's farm, where as one of 9 children, she learned the homemaking, child rearing and gardening skills which would serve her well throughout her life.

In her adulthood Dorothy became a highly skilled nurse and served as a Lieutenant nurse in Italy, France and North Africa during World War II. Dorothy wrote comforting letters to all of the families of the injured soldiers in her care. After the war, she became a Red Cross nurse and shared her skills in several states in the USA.

In 1949, Dorothy married the love of her life, Anthony "Tony" White and raised his four children after the death of their biological mother along with hers and Tony's two sons. She was very proud of and always showed unconditional love for all six of her children. The four older children came to realize that they had been blessed with two wonderful Moms. While rearing this brood, and during the Polio epidemic of the 1950's, Dorothy cared for patients in iron lungs at Maumee Valley Hospital in Toledo. She often created ingenious devices for their comfort and or functionality. She also treated many other patients with contagious diseases.

After the epidemic, Dorothy worked fulltime at both Flower and Toledo Hospitals, where she was head Nurse in the ICU, treating the first dialysis and open-heart surgery patients. Upon her retirement, she continued to share her nursing skills with family members, friends and neighbors. All of her loved ones and patients, in each phase of her life, were the fortunate beneficiaries of her special combination of compassion, intelligence, medical knowledge and skill.

It is said that if a person can positively affect just one other life, then both lives have been worthy and meaningful. The lives Dorothy has enriched are innumerable, and her legacy lives on in each of them.

Deepest thanks goes to Dorothy's incredible caregivers, Karen Carpenter, Lasee Tharpe and Brenda Zils, who have become much loved members of the family.

Dorothy is survived by her brothers, Charles (Velma) of Burton, MI and Kenneth (Carol, deceased) of rapid River, MI, sister, Helen (Ed) of Swartz Creek, MI. Survivors also include her sons, Bruce (Sandy) of Ortinville, MI, Brian (Tammie) of Clarkston, MI, Gary (Pam), Robert (Holly) both of Toledo and her daughters, Mary (Robert) of Avon Lake, OH and Rosemary (William) of Temperance, MI, her grandchildren, Catherine, Bruce Jr., Alan, Derrick, Steven, Jennifer, Jason, Mandy and Sarah. Also surviving are great grandchildren, Lauren, Brent, Brittany, Shannon, Kristen, Debra Lyn, Logan and Madeline. Surviving nieces and nephews are Margaret, Charles, Richard, Jeffery, Diane, James, Kevin, Kathy, Michael and Laura. Preceding her in death were her niece, Eileen and nephew, Kenneth.

Family and friends are invited to join the family Thursday, December 16th from 4-8:00 p.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home, 4150 W. Laskey Rd. (419-473-0300). Funeral services will begin Friday, December 17th at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be at Franklin Cemetery, 26480 Scenic Dr. Franklin, MI.

Those wishing to make a Memorial Contribution are asked to consider Ebeid Hospice, 5340 Harroun Rd. Sylvania, OH 43560 or the Wounded Warriors Project, 7020 AC Skinner Pkwy, Suite 100 Jacksonville, FL 32256.