Ruth Ann White

Ruth Ann White, 96, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her three children on August 14, 2021. She’d recently decided to stop her cancer treatments and switch to Hospice care.  We’re so grateful she was able to stay home until the end because that was so important to her.

She was born on the family farm in Lusk, Wyoming on June 29, 1925 and moved with her family to Nampa where she lived for the rest of her life. She always said she was so glad her parents settled in Nampa instead of going on to north Idaho because that’s where she met the love of her life, Chuck White. They were happily married for 63 years before he passed away in February of 2008.

Together they built their home and family, creating a place where friends and family gathered often to drink coffee, share a meal or celebrate a birthday. It didn’t matter what the occasion was, they were always so happy to have everyone laughing and playing together. Christmas mornings were magical for us all. Everyone would gather before sunrise where the presents were stacked from the tree all the way to the front door. As the family grew larger Christmas mornings transitioned to Christmas eves but we still had as much fun.

They took us all on amazing camping trips and cheered us on in our events, always insisting that we were the very best. 

Ruth worked hard at several different jobs through the years where she made many memories and friendships but her real calling and favorite job was Mother and Grandmother. Her and Chuck’s lives revolved around their family and they made every one of us feel so cherished with special birthday parties and holidays all gathered together in the house that was the very definition of a warm and welcoming home.

Her love of life didn’t stop with her family. She loved her many friends from all parts of her life and was so happy to share the ups and downs of life with them. 

While she looked like a well dressed and sweet little old lady, those who really knew her knew she loved to tell racy jokes and could shock people who underestimated her. She was a hard working, patriotic member of the Greatest Generation who cared deeply about preserving our democracy and cherished freedoms and looked back at leaders like FDR with a longing for the good old days. She wasn't shy about sharing her political opinions at all and had some hilarious t-shirts to prove that. 

We will always miss her feisty, funny, opinionated antics and have a million hilarious stories we'll never forget. We'll also miss the deep and abiding love she had for all of us. 

Ruth is survived by her children and their spouses Cheryl and Bob Cope, Connie Areitio, Chuck and Janean White; her grandchildren and their spouses Danna and Dennis Pittman, Julie Cole and Kelly Atkinson, Leslie and Steve Robinson, Brett and Jacque Cope, Paul and Rosalie Cope, Zack and Tiffany White, Mitch and Sheena White; great grandchildren Leighann (Quincy) Logan, Tereyl Shrauger, Sydney Shrauger, Brandon Pittman, Brielle Pittman, Augie (Marca) Robinson,Chet (Emilee) Shrauger, Marcus Atkinson, Karleigh Robinson, Cody Cope, Casey Cope, Clay Cope, Averi White, Grayson White; her great-great grandson Keevin Shrauger, and her soon to be born great-great granddaughter baby girl Robinson, expected at Christmas. 

She is also survived by her sisters Hazel Gallagher and Margie Brebner, many dear friends and nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents Vivian Campbell Young and Arthur Young, her beloved husband Chuck White, son-in-law Dick Areitio, granddaughter Jill Brandon, great grandson JT Cole, her five brothers and sister Ethel Crew. 

The family extends its deepest gratitude to everyone at St. Al's Cancer Center in Nampa for their loving care as well as St. Al's Hospice for their compassionate guidance. We're also so grateful to our beloved family friend Sandra Hurn who was like a third daughter to her. 

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