Barbara White

Barbara Gail Florey White, dedicated mother and grandmother, as well as sister, friend, teacher, community volunteer and avid golfer, passed away on November 1. She left this life gracefully surrounded by her family after a stroke following surgery. She was 71.

Barb was born in Denver on October 5, 1944 to two veterans who met at Fitzsimmons Army Base. She grew up in the Congress Park neighborhood and liked riding horses, learned to ski around age 10, and enjoyed competitive swimming. She graduated from East High School in 1962 and then Wittenberg University in 1966. Later in life she earned a Masters degree from Grand Valley State University.

Barb moved to Fremont, Michigan in 1967 and served as an educator for Fremont Public Schools for nearly 40 years, first as a sixth grade teacher and later as a substitute from elementary through high schools. Trained to teach French and English, she loved practicing languages and spent two weeks in France the month before she died. She was a dedicated and natural mom, enthusiastic supporter of the arts, and willing caregiver to those in need.

Barb returned to Colorado in 2006 to be with her children and grandchildren and to care for her mother. She enjoyed the mountains, sunshine, and mile high culture. She continued golfing and playing bridge and started quilting. Barb volunteered in her community and at Colorado Children's Hospital, was active in St. John's Lutheran Church, reconnected with old classmates, and formed many new friendships.

Barb is survived by her daughter Beth (White) Hester and son-in-law Frank Hester, son Chad White, son Tim White and daughter-in-law Jennifer (McMurray) White, and daughter Meg White; by her four grandchildren Maggie Hester, Sarah Hester, Katie White, and Ryan White; by her brother James Florey, and by her nephews and many cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents James R. and Rhita S. Florey.

With thanksgiving for her life and friendship, memorial services will be held at St. John's Lutheran Church in Thornton on Saturday, December 5 at 11:30am. In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting donations in her name to Colorado Children's Hospital, where Barb was a volunteer; to the American Cancer Society, which Barb supported as a healing organization; and to the Fremont Area District Library in Fremont, Michigan, where Barb was an active reader and volunteer for years.