Dorothy Dean White

Dorothy Dean White

Left our world on July 20, peacefully, in a room overlooking the Chesapeake Bay. There were many fishing boats within sight of her room, which was fitting given that the love of her life—her husband, Bill White—was a dedicated fisherman. Her family had been with her every day leading up to her passing. 

Dorothy was born in Brookfield, Missouri, on July 28, 1929, and grew up in a loving family of eight children. Her parents were Lee and Nadine Neer of Brookfield, Missouri, a small town nestled between Hannibal and Kansas City. Her siblings, Cecil Neer, Eugene Neer, Edward Neer, and Bill Neer, also predeceased her. She is survived by her sisters, Virginia Clark of Kansas City, Missouri, and Jane Mead of Brookfield, Missouri, and her brother, Don Neer of Bonita Springs, Florida.

She was known as “Uncle Dot” or Aunt Dorothy to her 28 nieces and nephews, many of whom she said were rascals. But she loved every one of them and always looked forward to the annual family reunions. She would often say how lucky she was to have her big, loud, loving family.

Her life was all about her family, and her family will never forget her and will miss her always.

On Christmas Day, 1948, she married her childhood sweetheart, William (Bill) J. White. Over the course of their marriage they lived in Evanston, Cicero, and Naperville, Illinois; Keokuk, Iowa; and Sylvania, Ohio, before finally returning to Missouri, where they spent many happy years.

She was married to the great love of her life for 60 years before he passed in 2008. Theirs was a great love story. He was the co-captain of the football team, and she was in a popular yet exclusive girls club called “The Great 8!” Bill adored Dorothy and treated her like a princess. She was heard to say, “You have to be pretty smart to be so helpless.”

They had two children, Pamala Sue Poertner (née White) of Ellicott City, Maryland, and Joseph Lee White, who passed away in 1971. Joe’s death was the hardest loss of their lives.

After Bill died in 2008, Dorothy left Missouri for Maryland to be close to her family in Ellicott City. She spent her remaining years living in the Charlestown retirement community in Catonsville, where she was able to enjoy her family and friends. This included Doreatha Maynor who was her long-time friend and caretaker, and who became a blessing in her life. 

She is survived by her loving daughter, Pam Poertner; son-in-law, Mark Poertner, whom she considered her second son; the absolute pride of her life, her granddaughter, Maggie Jo Buchanan, Esq., and her husband, Jay Buchanan, Esq. She was also blessed with two great-grandchildren, Rosie and Colby, who gave her many hours of joy.

Burial will be private for family as she is laid to rest with her husband Bill and her son, Joe in Missouri.

Donations if desired may be made to the American Arthritis Foundation in her honor. 

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