EARLA JOSEPHINE WHITE

Condolences & Memories (5 entries)

• Joey thank you for being my inspiration and my service sponsor. I will miss you and your passion for the Al-Anon program. Use that telephone in the sky and call me sometimes. My sympathies to Joey's family. She's in a good place now. - Posted by: Marie Roy Vachon (Friend) on: Feb 08, 2015

• Thoughts on Joey from Bonnie. Joey, I wish I was there for this celebration of your life, because if anyone deserved such a celebration it was you. You did an incredible job, Sister Joe, of always being there for whoever needed you. When our mother Kate died I was only eighteen, and you and Maureen immediately stepped in, filling her shoes. You should have had a better chance to live the kind of life I have. Joey was so much braver than me. I remember brother Keith’s part Arabian horse, Bob, who he rode with a curved bit. I was even afraid to go into his stall. One day you decided to ride Bob to Deleau to pick up the mail and other things that Mother wanted, and I rode Patsy our Shetland pony. Digressing, Dad got Patsy the year I was born, when Joey was eight. Keith said all he wanted was a set of dog harness, not a baby sister, so Dad got him a Shetland pony and brought it home on the back seat of the car. As years went by Patsy became mine and I was happy to ride her. Joey was brave enough to ride Bob into town that day, and was smart enough not to get off him in case he’d never let her get back on. Bob took off home, with Joey hanging on, and I didn’t see them for another 15 minutes because they were so much faster than me on Patsy. If Joey had ended up living near mountains as I did, I know she’d have been a fabulous skier and loved the thrills. I’ve had great chances to travel, and I wish we could have had some trips together. There was one, when we two prairie girls drove together through Hell’s Gate on the old transCanada, so I know how much you loved seeing new places and sights. Perhaps you’d have traveled more, but family was always important – I remember on that same visit how you’d talk with Murray every day. Joey always had the welcome mat out for anyone who visited. Even when I arrived, more than once, with five children she just fit us all in. She gave of herself all the time, not just with talk but with action. Even when she had just lost Murray she kept on answering calls to support the lives of family and friends with counseling, rather than to simply accept their sympathy quietly. She gave endlessly to her four sons. I suppose it’s true that around Winnipeg she knew everybody and everybody knew her, because somehow she managed to once fly out to visit me in Vancouver without any ID! Getting her back on a plane here to fly home probably would have been impossible except Joey was so obviously genuine and open that even airport security folks quickly became her new friends! We grew up with politics at the table, and Joey and I always enjoyed talking over the news which we both followed. Lately that had to be on the phone, because we both travelled less, but a week rarely went by without a call. You were always sharp about time zone differences, unlike another sister we shared, so the calls were always at a sensible time. When we last saw each other, a few summers ago in Winnipeg and driving to and from Brandon, it was great to chat about current affairs in person because you were so sharp that the phone never let enough discussion flow. In a way I'm glad I’m not well enough to get to your service, because you were the one always playing the hymns on the piano or organ, and hearing someone else doing it would reinforce how much I’ll miss you. (Your other musical talent, though, was that you could perfectly imitate a crowing rooster -- even on mornings when I’d rather sleep in!) But on the other hand, I wish I could be with everyone remembering Joey, and to thank all who took care of her so well – especially Alan’s daughter Shawn who did so much for her. - Posted by: Bonnie Anderson (Sister) on: Feb 05, 2015

• I want to express my heartfelt condolences to the family of Joey, my dear friend and Al-Anon service sponsor. I last visited with her in October 2014 before I left for the winter. She was sitting at the table where she ate her meals when I walked in the door of her care home. She looked as lovely as ever. Her eye contact and her smile beckoned me to join her. We had a give-and-take conversation not unlike any we ever had. I loved her genuine way of sharing insights on all aspects of life, her sharp wit, her affection. Good bye my dear friend, Joey. I will miss you. Nina Tackaberry. - Posted by: Nina Tackaberry (Friend) on: Feb 04, 2015

• I met Joey when I was 13 and walked into my first Alateen meeting. She greeted me with a hug. For the next 44 years she was always the person who would love me unconditionally and accept me in every way. She became a part of the fabric of my life and I was part of her family. No matter where my journey took me, she was only a phone call away. I am so grateful that God showed me who He is through her. She was the gold thread in the tapestry of my life and I will strive to love others as she did. I love you so much Jo and will miss you dearly. - Posted by: Heather White (Sponsor, mentor,friend,mother-in-law,grandmother to my son) on: Feb 01, 2015

• We will always remember Joey as a sharp, witty and compassionate lady with a lot of class. - Posted by: Don & Helen Tole (in-laws of a granddaughter) on: Jan 31, 2015