Mary Ellen White

Mary Ellen White, born January 25, 1928, died peacefully at her home on April 22, 2017. She has been reunited with her beloved husband, Gerard M. White (Jerry) who preceded her in death in 2006. Mary Ellen was born in Mount Kisco, NY, and she and Jerry married there in 1948. Their wedding was reported as the "social event of the season". Mary Ellen graduated with Summa Cum Laude honors from Good Counsel College, White Plains, NY in 1949. She and Jerry had four children, and resided in New York until relocating to Ormond Beach in 1974. Mary Ellen devoted her adult life to the care of her husband and family. Along with her son, Kevin, she was a tireless advocate for those with disabilities. In 1977, they co-founded HAVOC (Handicapped Adults of Volusia County). Through their collective efforts, they established the first accessible beach ramp in Volusia County. She was a long-term parishioner of Saint Brendan's Catholic Church and was a scholar of the Catholic faith. Mary Ellen enjoyed walking the beach and was an amazingly strong woman who demonstrated how to care and be playful. Mary Ellen is survived by her four children, Kevin, Elaine Cusick (Tom), Terry (Maryam) and K.C. (Charity). Mary Ellen had four grandchildren, Kelly (Ryan) Sakmar, Peter White (Ravyn), Catherine Cusick, and Kaitlin (Logan) Gertner and two great grandchildren, Ella and Grace Sakmar. The family would like to specially thank Mary Ellen's Godchild and niece, Kerry Crandall, for all of her love and compassion and Kevin's former and current caregivers, Scott, Marie and Brenda. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Brendan's Catholic Church on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at 11:00am with a reception to follow. Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.volusiamemorialfunerals.com. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Easter Seals Camp Challenge, 31600 Camp Challenge Rd., Sorrento, FL 32776 or Kindred Hospice, 1717 N. Clyde Morris Blvd., Suite 130, Daytona Beach, FL 32117.