WHITE, ALICE L., 87, of Warwick died peacefully at Rhode Island Hospital on February 3rd after a very brief illness. She was surrounded by her loving family and close friends who celebrated her life as a beautiful and dedicated mother, friend and business colleague.

She was the wife of the late John F. White. They were married for 39 years. Together they established a family-owned small business which was founded in 1952.

She is survived by her son Steven J. White; her daughters Patricia L. Baker and her husband John Baker, Jr.; Laureen L. White-Taricani and her husband Jim Taricani; Maureen L. White and her fiancee Gary D. Hess; in addition to three grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Alice was President of the John F. White & Company, a wholesale heating supply distributor in Providence. She was a proud member of the local oil heat industry. Right up until her passing, she put in full, twelve-hour work days, each and every day, servicing her beloved customers, many of whom called her “mama.” She took over the family business from her husband in 1983, after his death, and together with her son, Steve, relished the opportunity to carry on the business in his memory. She did so with elegance, intelligence, kindness and savvy. Fiercely modest, she was considered by others to be a leader and role model in her industry. She was profiled in the trade publication Fuel Oil News in December 2011. The article, “Women in the Industry” noted her passion and work ethic: “Alice could well retire, but due to her dedication to her customers, she can be found daily at the counter greeting and serving their needs. Over the years Alice has gained a wealth of product knowledge and can assist in solving many trade related issues,” stated the article. “Let’s show our appreciation when they least expect it.”

In addition to her family and her family-run business, Alice loved the beach, the Boston Red Sox, Irish and Big Band music, vintage automobiles, and interacting with puppies and kitties of all types. She was a member of the former Canonchet Beach Club in Narragansett where she hosted cookouts on the cabana for her family and friends for decades. She was an Officer and a Director of the Quidnessett Memorial Cemetery. She was a proud and long-time member of the Oil Heat Institute of Rhode Island, the National Association of Oil and Energy Service Professionals and the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce.

Her funeral will be held on Tuesday, February 7, at 9 a.m. from the Barrett & Cotter Funeral Home, 1328 Warwick Avenue, Warwick, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Timothy Church, 1799 Warwick Avenue, Warwick. Visiting hours are Monday 4-8 p.m. Burial will be in Quidnessett Memorial Cemetery in North Kingstown. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Norman Prince Neurosciences Institute, c/o Rhode Island Hospital, P.O. Box H, Providence, Rhode Island 02901. Her family is most grateful to the compassionate team of medical and chaplaincy professionals who shepherded her safe and peaceful journey into God’s hands.

Published in The Providence Journal on February 5, 2012