Monica White

(The outline of this Story was written by Monica herself a couple years ago with the instructions that it be updated and completed at the time of her passing).

Monica Evadne White, nee’ Hanson, was born in the parish of St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, West Indies, on April 1st, 1934. She was the fifth and last child born to Leopold and Louise Hanson. Her older siblings -Maudeline, Roy, Lolita and Walford- all predeceased her.

At the age of 3years old she was taken to Kingston, by bus and on a Tramcar, by her Grand-parents Herman and Emily-Ann Cooper to live with them, as they thought she would have better opportunities in Kingston. Grandpa Cooper was a Tramcar driver at the time, running between St. Elizabeth and Kingston.

In Kingston she attended Lincoln Home Preparatory School run by her Aunt Violet Cooper, then on to Half Way Tree Elementary School. From Elementary school she progressed to Stratford High School from which she graduated and then went on to join the Jamaica Civil Service. Monica worked with the Ministry Of Health at the Port Antonio Hospital, Buff Bay Hospital, Kingston Public Hospital and the Bustamante Children’s Hospital in Kingston. While at the Buff Bay Hospital she met the then C.E.O. Mr. Robert “Bobby” Dickson and he it was that asked her to join him at the newly built Bustamante Children’s Hospital when he was appointed to run the new hospital. There she worked as the Stores Clerk. After working at the Children’s Hospital, Monica then left Jamaica and migrated to the United States of America in 1969 where she made her home in New York City.

Monica also attempted to do Nursing but realized that was not for her, so she returned to the Health Care Division. In the USA she worked for a short time at the Baptist Home for the Aged, then left there, to join the staff at Bronx Lebanon Hospital, Fulton Avenue Division, in the Bronx as a Receptionist/Registrar in the Emergency Room for over 30 years, from where she retired in February 1999. She chose this area of work because of her past experiences in Jamaica and her passion for helping people. At Bronx Lebanon she earned her 5 year, 10 year, 15 year, 20 year and 25 year Long Service Awards and Commendations from the C.E.O. of the Hospital and on her retiring in 1999 Monica was presented with a Plaque by the President of the Hospital in recognition of her many years of dedicated service to the Hospital.

After coming to the United States, Monica was briefly married to Mr. Dennis White.

Monica was an extremely generous, loyal and dedicated friend and family member. She was always ready to help or offer advice, provide assistance in any way and wherever she could. Apart from her generosity, she was also known for her great sense of humour and her social awareness which were unparalleled.

Monica is survived by her daughter, Lesline Simpson but she also had some other very special relationships. Here we make mention of Cheryl Hamilton, her other “daughter” and neice whom she loved dearly and with whom she shared a very special relationship and with whom she moved from New York City to Florida to share a home with, for the last few years of her life.

Then there were her special friends Desmond and Elaine Powell, her “friends for life” through Desmond’s parents Kenneth and Alma Powell, her neighbours from Wood Lawn where she previously lived. Also mention must be made of her God-daughter Heather Haynie with whom she had a close relationship, several nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends spreading from Jamaica, all over the USA and England. Of all her siblings, only Maudeline stayed in Jamaica, the others all moved to and resided in England with their children and their families.

While Monica lived in New York she also shared a lot of time and fellowship with and was assisted by her niece Pauline and her husband Sergio Renwart, both of whom predeceased her. Here we mention too her faithful caregivers in New York Veronica and Annabelle, especially Veronica, who still even now shows Lesline a lot of love and attention.

Our dear Monica was called away for higher service on Saturday, June 14th 2025 after a relatively short illness. Monica will be dearly missed by all who knew her, cared for her and loved her. She will forever be in our hearts. After an amazing and stoic innings of 91 years she has gone to take her rest.

Those we love never die but live forever in our hearts.