Alexandria Bay:

Thelma White passed away on April 19^th, 2010, at the age of 90. She departed overlooking her beloved St. Lawrence River from her hospital bed at River Hospital, Alexandria Bay where she had previously resided in the skilled nursing facility.  She was formerly from Newark Valley & Owego, NY. Where she lived for years as a “flat rat” and at the Long Meadows Apartments.

 She was well known for the joy she spread to anyone she came into contact with.  Thelma was an inspiration to all who were privileged enough to know her.   She made you happy just being around her. She always remained young at heart.  She had such an infectious positive attitude that remained unfaltering no matter how difficult life presented.  That attitude was and will remain a legacy to those that knew her.

 Her great joys of life were her immediate family and their friends that affectionately called her “Momma”.  She spent hundreds of hours watching the Syracuse Orangemen, Yankees, and any basketball or baseball game on TV.  She enjoyed   bowling, dancing – (polka was her favorite), playing cards – nightly Rummy, and crocheting.   In her younger years she was a basketball player. She was an old-time country music fan, even visiting the Grand Ole Opry.  She was famous for her cookies that she gave to so many throughout the decades.  She was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church as well as the Owego VFW.

 Up until her last breath, she was a great teacher of kindness and helping others.

 She was born March 7^th, 1920 to Mona and J. DeAlton (Pete) Hover.  She is survived by her sister, Bea Sutton, Maine, NY, Daughter, Nancy Carlisle and her husband Chris and granddaughter Katie, all of Seaway Avenue, Alexandria Bay, NY.  She was also survived by a son, Jim White, and his wife Lee, two adult grandchildren, Scott and Stacy, and two great-grandchildren, all of Rochester, NY.  Additionally, Pamela Haskell Marshall, who she considered part of her family and countless number of friends who were so important to her throughout her life. Three brothers, Stan, Joe, and young Donnie Hover and a sister, Lois Hover Howland predeceased her.

 She had a very hard work ethic, working at IBM in Owego during WWII to support the soldiers, to working three jobs for her family at one time, waitressing at VFW, cashiering at Grand Union, and her lifelong seamstress abilities.

 Words cannot describe the appreciation the family feels for the unbelievable way that the River Hospital Skilled Nursing Facility nurses and staff treated our mother in her final years as well as the River Hospital facility nurses and staff during her final week.  All of you are true angels.

 A charitable contribution fund will be established at Community Bank in the name of Thelma White, for the purpose of providing comfort needs to seniors in their final days. Please forward all contributions in her name to Community Bank, 205 State Street, Clayton, New York 13624.  In lieu of contributions, please just show an act of kindness to others in her memory.

Local arrangements are with the T.R. Jetty Funeral Home Inc. Clayton NY. Condolences can be made locally at trjettyfuneralhomeinc.com

Other funeral arrangements are with Estey & Munroe Funeral Home, 15 Park Street, Owego, NY on Friday, April 23, 2010.  Calling hours, 10:00 to 12:00 followed by funeral services and a reception at The Park View located next door.

 A memorial celebration of life will be held at The Clipper Inn on Sunday, April 25^th at 5:00 PM.