Shirley May Schober White

Beloved wife of Clifford Octave White Senior for 69 years, whom she met on that heaven-sent day at the age of 11 when Cliff was taking tumbling classes and he glanced across the Lea Brandon School of Dance to see Shirley who would become his dance partner and soul mate for life. Shirley was the daughter of the late Charles Emile Schober, Jr. and Yolande Marie Tabary; also, sister of a baby brother who died in infancy.

Mimi is now splendidly reunited with Rose Mary (Pat) Theresa Tabary, who was her childhood “sibling” from the age of 3 (when Pat came to live with Pat’s sister Yolande, Charlie, and Pat’s niece Shirley), her best friend and soulmate and love of all of our lives-Nanan. Also, reunited with her dearest of friends-Sister Mary Brian Rafferty.

Her greatest joy was raising and sharing in the lives of her six children who later became her closest friends: Charlene Persich (Nick), Cliff White, Junior (Cherie), Crystal Preskitt (Joe), Charmaine Power (Tim), Cathy Aitken (Jerry) and Connie Holly (Derrick). And from this great love of her children came the blessings of 11 wonderful grandchildren: Samantha Persich Conde (Andrew), Shane Persich (Jessica), Nicholas Persich (Sarah), Rachael White, Julia White, Brett Preskitt, Charmaine Preskitt Hill (Mark), Jay Preskitt (Katie), Ryan Power (Clare), Madeline Power, and Alexis Comeaux. She also adored her 13 great grandchildren, who loved their Mimi. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends.

She attended Saint Leo the Great and John McDonogh High School. She worked as an office assistant for Menge Pump and Machinery and Hibernia Bank before the most important work of raising her six children. Her career in dance began at Lea Brandon School of Dance, where along with family, friends, and of course Cliff, she grew in love for dance. She fondly remembered the honor of traveling to New York City with her dance class to participate in Dancing Masters of America taught by the sister of Fred Astaire! Numerous reviews and balls were captivating and she had many memories both in photo and story to share with her family.

She loved to travel early in her adult life and did so with friends for pleasure and with Cliff for business awards. She also celebrated traveling domestically and internationally with her son Cliff during his early years at Delta Airlines.

She was strong willed yet level headed. She was unselfish and a loyal friend, strongly devoted to her family and friends. She was also tough minded, tenacious and always “on the go”…as a wife, young mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Her memory lives on in all of us who were privileged to know her and be loved by her.

Her family gives special thanks for the support of Anvoi Hospice and her nurses, Lacey and Joanna. Also, we are thankful for the love and support of her constant caregivers: Melissa, Tracy, Emilce, Flora, Nursie, Barbara, and Candy.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass at St. Louis King of France Catholic Church, 1609 Carrollton Ave. in Metairie, on Wednesday, February 2, 2022 at 1:30PM. A visitation will be held at the church beginning at 11:30AM, with the recitation of the rosary at 1:00PM. The interment will be private. Masks in church are kindly requested.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Shirley’s memory to Saint Michael Special School https://www.stmichaelspecialschool.com/ or the LSU Brandon Power Fund https://www.lsufoundation.org/s/1585/17/interior.aspx?sid=1585&gid=1&pgid=4102

To view and sign the guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com