Janet Allison White

She was born on January 4, 1936, to John and Helen Allison as the youngest of three children. She was predeceased by her parents and siblings, Irene and Don. She grew up in Arlington, MA, which she often fondly recalled; especially her close relationship with her father and time he spent sharing the poetry of Robert Burns and Robert Frost, among others, with her. She carried the love and comfort of poetry and literature with her throughout her life.

She was a graduate of Matignon High School (Class of 1954), where she met and later married Leo White. She was also a proud graduate from Bridgewater State College (now University) where she studied education, becoming a teacher. While she subsequently set herself apart from most women of the 1950s by earning a Master’s Degree in Speech Therapy from Boston University, her time at BSC was very special for her and she remained an active member of the community there throughout her life. She was the past President of her sorority and enjoyed setting up meetings of her group that were intellectually stimulating and supportive of the University.

She went on to become a teacher, and later speech therapist, in the Marshfield Public School system but didn’t continue that career path once her children arrived as she wanted to be a mother more than anything. Her later career (once her youngest was in high school) was varied within the business world. She most enjoyed her time working for Purity Supreme as an executive on their human resources and marketing team in Billerica.

She married Leo White on August 29, 1959, and they went on to have four children (Chris, Don, John and Dianne). Throughout her life she always retained a sharp wit, a desire to get people laughing and a willingness to be silly. While times were not always easy, there was always a lot of energy and laughter in the house, powered by her warm humor and the rambunctious (often mischievous) antics of the kids. She loved playing games (all-time Yahtzee champ, as well as Rummy 500 and others), reading, spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, relaxing at the beach and seeing new places. She also loved her pet cats. Following the death of her husband in September 2001, she moved to live with her son, Don, in Hanson.  

She is survived by her children: Chris (Treva Sabin-White), Don, John and Dianne (Gavin Thomas). She is also survived by her grandchildren: Jennifer, Ryan, Erin, Josh, Jake, Olivia, Evan and Aden as well as her great grandchildren: Georgia, Paloma, and Lucy. She also leaves behind her cousin Bonnie-Lee Bowman in CO, her sister-in-law, Mary Boakes, in England, and several nieces and nephews.

Services will be held on May 7, 2025, 10 am at the Hanson Congregational Church, 639 High St. Hanson, MA 02341 followed by a burial ceremony at the National Cemetery in Bourne, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Janet's memory can be made to the Endowment Fund for Road to Responsibility Inc.