OBITUARY: Edna White, Former Selectman, Planning Board Member & Advocate For Self Government, at 86
Edna B. White, a force in Groton politics and civic life for many years died October 11 at the age of 86. Edna was a member of the Board of Selectmen as well as serving on the Planning Board, Town Government Study Committee, an active member of the PTA, and numerous civic ad hoc and subcommittees.
As an advocate for senior and affordable housing, she was largely responsible for creation of the Groton Housing Authority. In addition, she played an important role in getting public sewerage to the center of Groton and she paved the way to get roads upgraded in Lost Lake. She worked hard to get a Governing Charter for the town passed.
A passionate advocate for self-government, she recruited many people to volunteer to serve the town in a variety of positions. She loved writing and for a time wrote human-interest stories for The Groton Herald. She completed her pre-retirement years, serving as Executive Assistant first for Shirley, and later for Pepperell.
She had genuine affection for her many friends in Groton, especially those she met as member of Groton Woman's Club. She was widely admired and respected, a true public servant.
Most recently a resident of Days Ferry, White was born in Monticello, NY, daughter of Max and Sarah Bernstein. She grew up spending summers in Lake Huntington and winters in New York City. She attended William Howard Taft High School, and went on to graduate from New York University with a Master's degree in French.
After World War II, she spent a summer in France working in a home for war orphans. Upon returning to the States she moved to Nova Scotia to pursue a career in writing. There she met her husband Joseph [Clem] White. They were married in New York in 1951. When Joseph was drafted into the U.S. Army, they moved several times, ending up at Fort Lewis in Washington state. Returning to New York after the Korean war, Edna took an administrative position at Columbia University in the French Department. In 1969 she and Joseph adopted a son Adam. The family moved to Groton in 1976, where Edna focused her attention on quality childhood education, community planning and good governance.
After their retirement Edna and Joseph had many adventures exploring the US and Canada in their RV. She enjoyed these trips immensely. After her husband passed away, she moved to Woolwich, ME in 2007 to be close to her family. With her usual energy she became active in her new community. She served on several town committees, dealing with new facilities, handicap access to a local swimming area and an enhanced town website. She was a devoted member of the Friends of Patten Free Library serving most recently as its president. She was part of a local book club which she enjoyed very much given her passion as an avid reader.
Edna loved Bath, ME and her community. She enjoyed walking, canoeing, swimming and all things political. She was a devoted aunt to numerous nieces and nephews. She is survived by her son, Adam, his wife Daphne, her cherished grandchildren, Lydia and Nicholas and many dear friends and extended family.
A private remembrance will be held. Memorial contributions may be made to The Friends of the Patten Free Library, 33 Summer Street, Bath, Maine 04530.
Arrangements are by Daigle Funeral Home, 819 High Street, Bath, Maine. Condolences may be made online at www.Daiglefuneralhome.com.
