Margaret Silliman White

Margaret Silliman White survived the Great Depression in Birmingham as a young teenager, living in a rambling Norwood-neighborhood home where her mother took in boarders and taught piano to make ends meet. In middle age, she launched a career selling furniture at Loveman’s and later Rich’s Department Store in Brookwood Village. Her warmth, love of people and ready opinions helped her build a loyal clientele. When she met someone, acquaintance or customer, she would know their life history in 10 minutes.

Margaret was a lifelong avid bridge player. She played a vital role as a caregiver and loving example in the lives of her grandchildren over many years. Later in life, Margaret formed a warm marriage with Bill White, and she found a loving family at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Homewood. At OLS, she was a stalwart member of the July 4th Trash and Treasures crew. In her home, Margaret kept a large address book filled with the names of friends. She kept close tabs with these friends over long decades, though as years passed by, many of those names became crossed out.

One of the last was a dearest friend who died in August. After the funeral, 98-year-old Margaret found herself sickened by breakthrough COVID-19, and despite a hospital stay and skilled nursing, Margaret entered hospice care in her independent-living apartment at Brookdale University Park. Her caregivers included a group of 24-hour sitters, wonderful women marked by patience, loving-kindness and skill.

Margaret, a longtime resident of the Edgewood community of Homewood and deeply loved by all her family, died on October 6. She is survived by daughters Kathy Britton (Jeff Hansen) of Mountain Brook and Meg Childress (Tony) of Birmingham; three grandchildren, Richard de Shazo (Brynna Benefield) of Hoover, Jamie Duke (Mave) of Shelby County and Sarah Hansen of Washington, D.C.; great-grandchildren Emma Grace Duke, Zosia de Shazo and Arthur de Shazo.; cousin Judy Burke and a nephew and two nieces. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Bill White, brother Earl Silliman, and her beloved cousin, Mary Claire Brouilette.

Funeral will be Tuesday, October 12. Visitation for family and friends will be held at Our Lady of Sorrows, 10 to 11 a.m., followed by family-only funeral and burial at Oak Hill Cemetery. Please observe COVID-19 protocols.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Our Lady of Sorrows or your favorite charity.