Gayle Arlene White

Gayle A. White, affectionately known as G.G. by those who adored her, embarked on her final journey on June 9, 2024, at the age of 70, leaving behind a legacy of laughter, love, and an unparalleled knack for nurturing both people and punchlines. Born on an autumn day in 1953 in San Antonio, TX, Gayle's life was a tapestry of care, creativity, and chuckles, woven tightly with the threads of her hometown, where she also drew her last breath.

Gayle's life was a testament to her dedication to others, a trait that shone brilliantly throughout her more than 30-year tenure as a Registered Nurse at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio. Her specialty in Oncology was not just a job but a calling, where her humor became as much a part of her healing toolkit as her medical expertise. As the late, great Robin Williams once quipped, "You're only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it." Gayle certainly never lost her spark.

Her passion for nursing was rivaled only by her love for her family. Gayle is survived by a brigade of Whites and a parade of Ehlingers, including her beloved children, Shannon Millsap, who inherited her mother's grace and her husband John, who thankfully took after someone else; Scott White, who got his mother's wit and his wife Nicole, who got the patience of a saint to deal with it. Gayle's grandchildren, Olivia, Jake, Kylie, and Peyton, were the apples of her eye, and she spoiled them with such dedication that one might think it was her second career. She was also co-conspirator to her siblings, Connie Schulz, Marci DeMino, and Jeff Ehlinger, each of whom shared in the chaotic symphony that was family get-togethers.

In the halls of San Antonio College, where she studied nursing, Gayle was known to lighten the mood of even the most intense study sessions with her quick wit and sharp ideas. She was a firm believer that laughter was the best medicine, and her prescription pad was filled with jokes and warm stories.

Gayle's interests were as eclectic as her sense of humor. She could often be found crocheting special gifts for friends and family, each stitch accompanied by a chuckle or a story that would make the process take twice as long but be ten times more enjoyable. Her love for violin and Celtic music was profound, and she swore that in another life, she was a fiddler in an Irish pub. Gayle also spent countless hours making jewelry, her hands as skilled with beads and wires as they were with medical instruments.

A voracious reader, Gayle could speed through a historical fiction novel faster than most people could flip through a magazine. And when it came to spoiling her grandchildren, she was a force of nature, a whirlwind of treats, toys, and the occasional sneaky $20 bill pressed into a small palm with a wink and an instruction not to tell mom or dad.

Gayle's sense of humor remained steadfast even as she faced the challenges brought on by Parkinson's Disease. She would often say, "I shake so much, I'm like my own personal maraca band," proving that not even a tremor could shake her spirit.

As we bid farewell to Gayle A. White, let us remember the mirth she brought into this world and the countless lives she touched with her care and compassion. Her laughter echoes in the hearts of those she leaves behind, a melody as enduring as the memories we hold dear. So, in the words of Groucho Marx, "I intend to live forever, or die trying." Gayle, you gave the former a heck of a run for its money.

In lieu of flowers, tribute contributions may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation or the charity of one’s choosing.