Obituary of Mildred T White

Belchertown-Mildred C. (Clarke) White, 99, passed away September 15, 2021, just days before her 100th birthday. Born September 29, 1921 in Springfield, she was the daughter of John D. and Virginia (Boilard) Clarke. In 1963, Mildred and her family moved from Feeding Hills, making their home in Belchertown on Kimball St. While in town, she taught as a teacher and then a reading specialist and finally as a special education director before retiring. She then went on to Blessed Sacrament in Holyoke, where she worked as teacher for 4 more years. Millie loved teaching. She was dedicated to her students, always encouraging them to do their best. She found such enjoyment in their success and achievements. As an active communicant at St. Francis of Assisi, Millie attended Masses daily and was very involved in church activities and charities. Some of her hobbies included bowling, golfing, drawing and painting. Millie's true passions were writing and reading. Even in her late 80's, she attended a weekly writing course in East Longmeadow. She loved writing stories and poems. In 2003, Millie was predeceased by her husband, Clair C. White, and her son, Kenneth in 1977. Her memory will remain with her three children, Charles White (Neige), Ann Marie Opalenik (Robert), and Cynthia White all of Belchertown along with her five grandchildren, Marcus (Dora) Opalenik, Jennifer (Matt) Maddox, Steven (Jessica) Opalenik, Caitlin (Nicholas) Langone, and Jacob White. She also leaves six great grandchildren, her sister, Virginia Simpson of Niceville, FL, her niece, Annemarie and nephew, Quentin along with her late brother, John's significant other, Mary Cleary. Besides her parents, husband, and son, she also was predeceased by her brother, John Clark, and sister, Rita Pease. Visitation will be held Monday September 20th from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at the Beers & Story Belchertown Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass will be Tuesday September 21st at 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi with burial in South Cemetery. Kindly meet directly at the church. For those wishing, donations may be made in her memory to the church at P.O. Box 612, Belchertown, MA 01007.