Dita Lucilda White was born in the Republic of Panama to Mae Bell Grazette and Percival Quintyne on November 2, 1938. Dita’s mother passed away during childbirth and she was raised by her maternal grandmother Sarah Frances White Grazette. Dita moved to the United States and was joined shortly thereafter by her daughter Dona Grazette. While living in Harlem, NY with her Aunt Eliza she met the late Edward Lee White Sr. They would often take afternoon walks in the neighborhoods of Harlem while dating. They eventually married and moved to Brooklyn, NY and had three sons, the late Edward, Derek and the late Christopher. In 1971, Edward and Dita purchased a home in Westbury, NY and moved their family from Brooklyn. When Edward Sr. passed away in 1972 and Dita and her family remained in Westbury.
Dita worked as a Nursing Assistant, in the maternity unit, for over 40 years at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in NYC. She also worked in the school cafeteria in the Westbury school district and at Robin Hood summer camp. Upon her retirement, she moved to Orlando, FL before settling in Lithonia, GA. While in Georgia she joined Green Forest Community Baptist Church and enjoyed attending bible study. Dita always loved traveling on car trips, cruises,
shopping and living a very active life. She had a special love for flowers and would often be seen planting and caring for the flowers around her home. Over time, her home in Lithonia would become the envy of the neighborhood because of all of the beautiful flowers she planted. Dita also had a special love for children. She really enjoyed being around young children especially her grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. She was a regular contributor towards children’s charities and causes. She took great interest in St Jude Children’s Hospital and was also a regular contributor. During cruises, she would often be found sitting back in a lounge chair watching the young children play.
In 2015, Dita returned to New York for health reasons and to be closer to her family. She resided in Forest Hills, Queens and because of her very friendly personality she soon became very popular with the other residents of her building. She enjoyed walking and shopping in the neighborhood and would often sit in the neighborhood playground to watch the children play. She really enjoyed the visits of her children and her grandchildren. While in living Queens, she would often visit the Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral. Watching Allen’s children church online was often the highlight of her Sunday afternoon.
Dita is survived by her daughter Dona Gunter of Huntington Station, NY, son Derek White and daughter in law Regina White of Wheatley Heights, NY, sister Sonya Lobo, brother Carlos Quintyne, sister in law Roberta Carny.
Grand Children – Kenneth Grazette, Tonya Bell, Natasha Blaylock, Tiniqua Gunter, Sharnel Gunter, Edward White Jr., Latiqua White, Jerel White, Ronnie Gregory, Isiah Brooks, Andrea White, Justin White and Alyssa White.
Great Grandchildren – Chanel Person, Karell Person, Kamiyah Person-Gunter, Mikaya Person-Gunter, Jeremiah Person-Gunter, Isaiah Person-Gunter, Taquaya Bell, Takira Bell, Tameria Bell Tamonia Gunter, Davon White, Kieshaun White, Andrew White, Quahnelle Gunter, Ashli Harris, Henry Harris Jr., Gerald Blaylock, Brianna Gunter, Naliyah Gunter, Sharnel Gunter and Justin White Jr.
Great-Great Grandchildren – Audrey Bell, Aiden Bell and Christopher Stanton
Dita is also survived by numerous Cousins, Nieces, Nephews, Friends and Loved Ones.
Dita is preceded in death by her husband Edward Lee White Sr., Sons Edward Lee White and Christopher Lee White, Sister Maria Quintyne, Brother in-law William White, Sister in-law Pearl Chance, Special Uncle John Grazette and Special Cousin Catherine “Kitty” Phipps.
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