Obituary for Kathleen Stuart White [nee Nixon]

1929-2025

Surrounded by love and family, Kathleen, age 95, passed away on April 13, 2025, at Nipissing Manor Nursing Care Centre in Corbeil, ON.

Kathleen was born in New Liskeard, ON on November 15, 1929 to William and Ethel [Pigott] Nixon. She attended St. Mildred’s College in Toronto before graduating from the Kingston General Hospital School of Nursing. A galactic shift occurred on March 14, 1953, when Kathleen married Bill White in North Bay, Ontario. Together with a growing family they moved from New Liskeard, ON to Edmonton, AB to Goderich, ON, then ultimately back to New Liskeard in 1970. With changing needs, in 2015 Mom and Dad moved into the Empire Living Centre in North Bay before making her final move to Nipissing Manor in 2022 after Dad’s passing in 2019.

Kathleen was one of those fortunate few people to find a vocation, motherhood, that was a perfect fit. As a mother, grandmother and great grandmother her warmth and caring manner never wavered, and all of us tested it along the way. In the presence of family, she glowed with pride and joy that was always authentic and unconcealed. The strong conviction to family that was imprinted on Kathleen by her parents remained strong throughout her lifetime. Most of us feel that will be her legacy, in addition to instinctively knowing the correct way to load a dishwasher. It needs to be stated, her attention to detail was unsurpassed.

Kind, committed, genteel and proper she was also comfortable being exuberant and cheeky. Long friendships from various stages and places in Kathleen’s life spoke to her sincerity and genuine nature. The White House and cottage were always open to extended family and visitors who were treated to five-star hosting. Time spent in Texas and Florida expanded her appeal to a broader circle.

Kathleen was predeceased by her husband of 66 years, Bill White; her parents, William and Ethel Nixon; in-laws, George and Muriel White; sisters Nonie Ketchum [Robert also predeceased] and Peggy Gualtieri [Nino]; brother Dr. John Nixon [Mary]; sister-in-law Nancy [Babe] Lefebvre [Ray also predeceased].

She is survived by her sister, Beth Bedrosian [George predeceased] of Guelph, ON; her two daughters, Susan White of Punta Gorda, FL, Margot Despres and husband Armand of North Bay, ON.; her two sons, Michael White of Calgary, AB., Nick White and wife Cindy Anderson of Surrey, BC; her four grandchildren, Megan Sears and husband Jason of Astorville, ON, Adam Despres and wife Cristina Senese of Toronto, ON, Chloe White of Victoria, BC and Riley White of Edmonton, AB; her three great grandchildren Mya and Brynn Sears of Astorville, ON and significantly, baby Remy Despres of Toronto, ON, whom she had the pleasure to meet on March 29, 2025; as well as many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

The family extends a special thank you to the staff and Doctors at Nipissing Manor Nursing Care Centre for their attentive and compassionate care.

A Celebration of Life for Kathleen will be held on Monday, June 23, 2025 at the Martyn Funeral Home (464 Wyld St. North Bay) from 3:00pm - 5:00pm with a short commemorative ceremony at 4:00pm.

Memorial donations can be made to the Temiskaming Hospital Foundation.