Phyllis M. White Obituary
Phyllis Marie Ellen (Niemi) White, 83, of Beverly, MA passed away on the evening of March 10, 2025, at the Kaplan Hospice House from a long-fought battle with dementia.
She was born on July 7, 1942, to the late George T. Niemi and Lillian M. (Johnson) Niemi in Lanesville, MA.
She was married to James R. White, Jr. for 53 years. They have four daughters, Jeanmarie, Michele, Lisa and Nicole.
Phyllis worked at Addison Gilbert Hospital in Gloucester for a period of years where she made many friends and spoke highly of her co-workers. Phyllis' most prized possession was her family. Often giving them big hugs and a reminder phone call to say she loved them and to drive safely. She was so proud of her "girls". She enjoyed spending time with them whether a trip to Maine to visit her daughter Michele and grandchildren, or a trip or ride to Lanesville to visit where she grew up with daughter Lisa and son-in-law Jeff, or a shopping trip and getting coffee with her daughter, Nicole. Phyllis was an avid crocheter and enjoyed embroidery as well. She often made many gifts for her friends and family. She enjoyed watching the Kentucky Derby and the Westminster Dog Shows on television. She loved to bake too and loved cookies and lemon meringue pie. Phyllis had a stubborn Finnish spirit and faced her health challenges head on whether it was breast cancer or dementia. She rose up to the challenge with determination and strength with her faith in Jesus and prayer.
Phyllis is survived by her daughters, Michele Garnett of Maine, Lisa Devlin-George and husband Jeff George, whom she considered a son not just a son-in-law of Beverly, MA, and Nicole Sazin and Martin Santos of Seabrook, NH. Her brother, William Niemi of Lanesville, MA. As well as four grandchildren, Jessica Garnett and fiancé Kyle Corey of Maine, Stephanie Garnett, of Maine, and Joshua and Kristie Sazin of Merrimac, MA and Amanda and Shawn Fahey, of Foxboro, MA. Her great grandchildren, Charlotte Boutin, Collin Boutin and Addison Corey of Maine, Isaac and Jacob Sazin of Merrimac, MA, Jameson Fahey, Liam Fahey and Noah Fahey of Foxboro, MA. Phyllis had many friends but a special mention to Karin Johnson, of NH, the late Sue Burke and Dick Burke of FL, and Joyce and Jacklyn Moran of Beverly.
Phyllis is predeceased by her husband, James White, Jr., her daughter, Jeanmarie White; son-in-law, Rick Devlin; three grandchildren, Christopher Devlin, Michael Devlin and Sarah Devlin; also, her mother and father-in-law, Betty and James White, Sr.; and her sister-in-law, Diane Niemi.
Funeral arrangements will be made at a later date.
Donations can be made to her family in C/O Lisa Devlin-George, 5 Phillips Street, Apt. 1R, Beverly, MA 01915.
