Edwina Fae White's Obituary
Edwina Fae White passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of August 15, 2023 after a short battle with cancer. She began her life in Cheyenne Wyoming, born to Walter and Lois White. The second of five children, she lived in many places in Wyoming and Arizona which began her love of the desert and all things of the Southwest. She was eight years old when the family moved to the Sacramento area. She and the older siblings helped build the family house and even helped dig a pool in the backyard! Edwina graduated from Highlands High School in 1959 and went on to get a creative arts degree from San Fransisco State College in 1971. Always “traveling light”, she held many interesting jobs including working at a TV station, as a film grip, and for the San Fransisco Ballet. She studied drafting and found her niche, working for the State Department of Education mostly reviewing school plans. She was a lover of nature and a champion of the arts. She loved to garden, camp and hike in her earlier days. Edwina was active in politics, focusing on anti-war, ecology, human rights and befriended many homeless people. She could often be seen picking up refuse from the streets in her neighborhood to recycle. She had many friends from her school years, activist groups and coffee house friends. She was a great sister to her siblings, overseeing care for one brother as his Alzheimers progressed, and loved being an aunt to many nephews and nieces. She is survived by siblings Lody Caldwell of Kittitas, WA, David White of Woodland, CA, Sharon (Ron) Munson of Ellensburg, WA as well as nephews and nieces Brent (Suzie) Caldwell, Teri (Dave) Johnson, Tony (Veronica) White, Rachel (Dustin) Snipes, Joel (Melissa) Munson, Taylor Munson and many great-nephews and nieces, and sister-in-law Merrilyn Hirsch. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Andy White and friend June Gill. She finished her life as she lived it; with dignity and grace. Her sister Sharon was with her the last weeks of her life. She will be missed by her family and many friends who stood by her in her last months. Thank you to cousins Don Kent and Joanne, and Jamie and Don Pelton. Also thanks to Patricia and Maggie, Robin, Jeannie, Barbara, Anamaria, Nancy, Peggy and Larry, Janice, Goli and the quartet, Emiko, Steve and Grace and all the school chums, the coffee house friends, and all the others; you know who you are! Thanks for the prayers, visits, cards, flowers, food and kombucha! Also thanks to Yolo Hospice and Canterbury House for their excellent care. A memorial will be held Sunday, September 10 at 5:00 pm at 909 12th St in Sacramento.
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