One of Bathurst's oldest citizens, Yvonne White, passed away peacefully at the Chaleur Regional Hospital on November 19, 2024, at the age of 103 years - 13 days short of her 104th birthday.
She was predeceased by her husband, Mont White, her son Mark and infant granddaughters Michelle and Jennifer.
Nothing brought her more joy than time spent with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She is survived by her five children: Dianne (Ted) O'Malley of Bathurst; Billy (Margie) of Mississauga, Ont.; Claudette (Paul) Cormier; Sue (Glen) Crowther; Danny (Maria) of Bathurst.
Mémère's loving grandchildren: Bryanna (Todd) Aube; Rémi Cormier; Patrick (Sarah) O'Malley; Monte White; Céline White (Lon Bechervaise); Oliver Crowther (Jayme Sprague); Jean René Cormier; Marika (Seth) Dewey; and Lise Robertson.
Her devoted great grand children: Evan Aube; Padraic and Aislin O'Malley; Sybil and Ruby Bechervaise; Quinn and Violet Sprague-Crowther; Matthew and Ella Dewey; Allie and Felicity Robertson.
Born in Bathurst, she was the second eldest of a family of 14. Her only surviving sibling and youngest brother is Guy Bourdage of Florida. She was predeceased by her brothers, Roger, Alban, Adelbert, René, Gerard, Oscar, Armand, Jean Eudes, Fernand Bourdage and sisters, Andréa, Estelle Boucher and Irma Borrell.
She attended school in Bathurst and spent one year at Caraquet convent which she said, was one of the best years of her life. She was called home to help her father Clement Bourdage in the store. Her mother, Nélida (Thériault) Bourdage also needed Mom's help to care for her growing family.
Mom had a keen mind and we always said, she would have been a good business woman with her math skills. She worked at Zeller's for a short time and Dempsey's Drug store and loved being there.
She was always active and a lifetime member of the CWL, Club 200 and the Legion Lady's Auxiliary. Holy Family was the cornerstone to the foundation of her faith, which never wavered.
She had a very competitive nature and loved to win - whether it was bowling, shuffleboard or bingo.
If you didn’t know what she was feeling, you just had to look into her piercing blue eyes and you knew if she was happy, sad or “the look” if she was not agreeing with you.
One can only imagine the changes that took place during her long life. Nothing surprised her more than seeing her family on FaceTime. She was amazed and thought it nothing short of a miracle.
She was a proud Acadian and was grateful to speak both languages which widened her circle of friends.
Mom spent the last ten years at Southern Comfort Villa. There, where she said everyone knew her, she attended all social events, even the last Halloween party this year.
Under the special care and supervision of Madame Drapeau, as Mom called her, and her loving, patient caregivers, Mom thrived. Not without the help and patience of Dr. Lebouthilier, who showed empathy and kindness to Mom. We will be forever grateful for all the support given by these special care givers.
“May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.”
There will be no visitation at the funeral home. A funeral service will be held on Friday, December 6th at 2 pm. from Holy Family Church. Arrangements are in the care of Elhatton’s Funeral Home (www.elhatton.com), Bathurst.
