Joan M. White

Joan M. (Belli) White, of Plymouth, formerly of Walpole, passed away on December 24, 2020 at her home.

Joan grew up in Center Moriches, Long Island, NY. She moved to Boston in the early 1950s to attend the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital School of Nursing. Meeting on a blind date and engaged after only six weeks, Joan married her beloved Paul in September 1954. They started their family in Topsfield before relocating to Walpole, where they lived for 20+ years.  Though Joan stopped working in order to raise her three children and assist with her husband’s business, she first and foremost considered herself a Registered Nurse, a status of which she was very proud. 

Joan was an avid traveler. Tops on her list was Washington State, where she adored spending time with the “Northwest Whites”. She also had many adventures with Paul as well as friends, touring other parts of the United States, Europe, and the Caribbean. Joan loved all creatures, great and small, which led to many years of volunteering at the New England Aquarium; to exploring the desert Southwest with Paul during their later years in Arizona; and to bird- and tide-watching throughout New England, including Westport, MA and Narragansett, RI. Joan was a phenomenal cook and entertainer. She loved hosting friends and family; all were welcome in her home and no one ever went hungry in her presence. 

Joan will be remembered as a kind and loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She cared for others more than herself and leaves a legacy of compassion, loyalty, and unfettered determination to live fully each day with an active interest in others and the world. She will be deeply missed.

Beloved wife of 54 years of the late Paul White. Devoted mother of Paul James White and his wife Kristin of WA, Chris White and his wife Kathleen of Franklin and Susan White of Weymouth. Cherished Grandma of Brandon, Melissa, Chris, Devon, and Patricia and GiGi to Ezra, Abram and Emersyn. Loving sister of Eunice Wheeler of Australia and sister-in-law of Evelyn White of FL.

A celebration of life service will be held at a later date.

Normally, the funeral is an opportunity for the community to gather in support of one another. Although we cannot gather together with Joan’s family at this time, friends may still offer their support by clicking the link above.

Donations in memory of Joan may be made to the Paul and Joan White Fund at Project Place, 1145 Washington Street, Boston MA 02118.