Alice White (19 Jul 1916 - 29 Mar 2020)
Funeral Director
In loving memory of Alice White who sadly passed away on 29th March 2020 aged 103 years.
Alice Willard White, born Alice Willard Jeffrey on 19th July 1916 at 129 Windmill Street, Gravesend and when asked by doctors for her date of birth, she always added the precise address!!
The Windmill Street garden backed on to Sheppey Place and from there, it was a short walk to her Infants School in Wrotham Road. Alice was the first of five children, and for four years she enjoyed being an only child with parents, older aunts and cousins. Then her sister Margaret arrived, followed by Robert, George and Diana. The family moved to Stanford-le-Hope, Essex where Alice then went to the school immediately opposite their terraced house.
At age 14, Alice left school on a Friday, her Aunt Lily from Gravesend came to Stanford to collect her, and on Monday, Alice was working in Gravesend as a home help, doing domestic duties with Alderman and Mrs Berry. Alice’s friend Maud White from the GFS, Girls Friendly Society invited Alice to her Denton home for tea. There she met Maud’s brother William White and courting commenced.
They were married 7th December 1940 (war time) at Stanford-le-Hope, Essex. During the war, Alice joined the WAAFs as LAC Leading Aircraftwoman so that she could be stationed with her husband Will, who was in the RAF. Alice was very proud of her wartime service in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force and continued going to WAAF meetings in Chatham, late into her eighties.
At the end of the war, Alice and Will lived in rooms at Granville Road, then they obtained a council house in Oak Road. In the 1950s and 1960s, Alice would ride her bicycle a considerable distance down Singlewell Road, trailing a barrow to the allotment, sometimes at five o’clock in the morning. She helped out at jumble sales at the Congregational Church and was a constant parent-helper at Whitehill School for Christmas parties and trips out.
Finally, Alice and her family moved to Colyer Road in Northfleet. Two daughters Jenny and Susan were raised and they married and left Gravesend.
Alice and William were very keen members of the Gravesend Historical Society and they were also loyal members of the Imperial Paper Mills Stamp Club. They took themselves on UK trips and later, all over the world to Europe, Canada and the USA. They were both proud of their Gravesend roots and took an interest in local history.
Alice’s husband died suddenly in 1981 so they were married some 40 years and Alice was widowed for nearly 40 years. Once widowed, Alice moved first to Windmill Street then in 2001 to Regents Court in West Street, overlooking the River Thames. Here she lived close to the site of the 1734 public house The Holy Lamb where one of her ancestors Haffel Coy was the licensed victualler and she could attend St George’s church, where he was named in the bell tower boards as a bell-ringer in the 1730s. Alice really was close to where her ancestors lived, worked and worshipped.
By accepting every invitation going for coach outings with all the different Gravesend churches and clubs, and socialising at Regents Court, Alice’s life was full. She watched with pride as firstly four grand-children arrived then five great-grandchildren and kept a close interest in all family news and events.
After all the parties and celebrations at the 100th birthday parties in 2016, life slowed down a little. It became clear that some carers were needed and North West Kent Age UK stepped into the breach. Her shopping trips and coffee outings with Nikki filled her with joy and they formed a solid partnership, maybe with some giggling to help along the way.
Alice died in Darent Valley Hospital just four months short of being 104. She devoted her life to loving others and she died knowing that she was well loved. In her own words “she had had a good innings.”
Found in Alice’s document chest – I was born in July 1916 in Gravesend, Kent. My father was a Chief Petty Officer in Minesweepers in WW1.
Before I started school at 5 years in Wrotham Road, I can remember my father rubbing “Horse Oil”, a white embrocation, with a Horse Head on the label, on my knees before going to sleep at night. As I got a little older, the doctor told my mother and me that it was “growing pains”.
As a young child, I had scarlatina but I was an only child so did not go to the Fever Hospital. I was bathed daily in sulphur water in front of the range and my clothes were put into the oven to kill the germs.
As a baby, I had meningitis. The German doctor would come in daily and he would strike a match to see if I was blind. My father had six weeks compassionate leave from the Navy and I was carried around on a pillow. My mother told me they had no idea how I caught this since I was an only child.
donated in memory of Alice
With love from John and Susan
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donated £100 in memory of Alice
For Nanna. xxx
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wrote
RIP Alice and thank you for your Service within the WAAF. The Association Honours your Memory and your name will be carried on the Wreath at the Cenotaph in London on 8th November. On behalf of the WAAF WRAF RAF(W) Association
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donated £50 in memory of Alice
Such a privilege to have met a wonderful and amazing lady who was loved by all.
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Alice with the Royal Swan Marker celebrating her 99th birthday, Swan-Upping on the Thames
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We first met Bill and Alice in 1971 at the Gravesend Stamp Club where both were very active members, and then enjoyed many special meetings with them over the years until we decided to emigrate to Canada in 1981. A good year for us but a sad one for the White family. Since that time Alice has sent us an annual Christmas letter to keep us in touch with her news which was always up-beat and busy. We responded with our family news and thus we have kept in touch for all these years.
We were so sorry to hear of her passing and will miss the annual "Alice" news letter. Our warm condolences to the family and thanks for letting us know. Geoff and Catharine
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donated £20 in memory of Alice
In fond memory of my friend Sue's mum Alice, a true inspiration to us all.
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donated in memory of Alice
I called Alice "my tonic", that always made her laugh, but her cheerfulness always lifted my spirits. John and I have shared so many happy times with Alice, the last in February for lunch at Jenny's. One of the most memorable times was when I joined Jenny and Alice for "Swan Upping" on the Thames on Alice's 99th birthday. Alice made sure everyone on board knew it was her 99th birthday and she was made a great fuss of by the Royal Swan Maker and the Swan Uppers, loving everyminute of it! We will all miss Alice, but will smile, as she would want us to, in remembering all those happy times shared.
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Among the very happy memories of times John and Gwen shared with Alice is this, the day before her 101st birthday, with lunch at The Yorkshire Rose in Warfield.
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donated £30 in memory of Alice
Very fond memories of Alice White and especially her love of reading and great use of the library at Gravesend. Lovely to witness her active mind and love of life at recent family gatherings. My condolences to her family. Sue
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I have such good memories of Mrs White, especially her love of reading and good use of the library at Gravesend. I enjoyed her active mind and love of life at a few family gatherings in recent years. Never give up the gin and tonics! With love, Sue
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Such good memories of Mrs White, especially her love of reading and good use of the library in Gravesend. It's been a treat to witness her lively mind and love of life at family gatherings in recent years. Never give up the gin and tonics. Sue
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Lots of love and thanks for the happy memories! Marco xx
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When I moved into Regents Court I met this lovely lady, Alice. She was so interesting to listen to her stories of Gravesend. She always came to our social events, enjoying the food and company. When she heard her friend, Beatrice had died, she said we were going to celebrate our 100 birthday together. I took her to Gravesend Methodist Church for Service in memory of Beatrice and read out what Alice said about her friend. She will be missed at Regents Court by all her friends here. Alice rest in peace.
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May loving memories bring you comfort at this sad time
All best wishes,
Love Sylvia
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donated £10 in memory of Alice
At Inn on The Lake on Alice's 100th birthday 2016
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donated in memory of Alice
We were very sorry to hear the sad news about Alice but thankful she passed away peacefully and without pain. We are very proud of our dear Aunt and reaching 103 years and 8 months is a wonderful achievement in anybody’s book!. Hopefully we all have some of those longevity genes flowing through our veins! We have many happy memories of our times together with Alice visiting with us here in The Netherlands and those cherished times we were able to meet up in the UK. Marco and Marcel remember especially the time when Alice took them on a boat trip to see the Cutty Sark and London Docks. Also I think back to my childhood and the fabulous holidays I had with Jenny & Susan staying with Alice and Will in Gravesend such carefree days. I shall never forget our trips out cycling, blackberrying etc. and of course the treats of fish & chips, and Alice's delicious apple & blackberry pie. Alice had a good appetite and I did too, she called me ‘the dustbin’ – bless her she was not far wrong! We are so grateful we were able to meet up with Alice on the 2nd March which sadly would be for the last time and thanks to Jenny for making that happen. Alice was obviously in much pain but did not complain once always cheerful and it was great to see her chatting away with Mum and enjoying her lunch. Alice was a beacon of positivity a credit to us all; she loved her family and was always caring and thoughtful. We shall miss her dearly, she will always be in our thoughts, she has left us with so many happy memories!
Our condolences to Jenny, Sue and all the family.
Lots of Love,
David & Rita
Marco & Donja
Peter & Monique
Marvin & Marcel
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Surprise, surprise
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Greeting Alice at her surprise 100th party!
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Celebrating Alice's birthday in 2003 on the London Eye. We have such fond memories of meeting her and being her guests in Gravesend. Judy & Marilyn, San Anselmo, CA
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Alice and Joyce when they met in March this year. Mum will miss the phone calls. God bless Joyce, Linda and Tim Jeffrey.
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donated £75 in memory of Alice
Alice you will always be remembered as the most happiest, stoic and loving aunt, an inspiration to us all.
Mum will miss the phone calls but is so pleased she was able to meet up in March when David and Rita visited.
May your G&Ts be as long as our happy memories of you and Will.
God Bless.
Joyce, Tim and Linda xxxx
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Alice will always be in our memories as the most happy, loving and stoic Aunt, a true inspiration to us all. Mum will miss the phone calls but so pleased to have met in March with David and Rita.
May your G&Ts be as long as our happy memories.
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Alice in Sulham woods, Tilehurst in April 2019. Alice said she hadn't been to see bluebells for years
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Alice in Sulham woods April 2019
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Alice was a lifelong friend of our family, since the time that I started at Whitehill Primary School at the age of 6 and Susan became my best friend. I used to go to play with Sue at her home in Oak Road, and some years later when my sister was in hospital after a car accident, I went to stay in Collier Road for some time, as my mum had to be at the hospital, and Alice looked after me like a daughter. Sue and I visited Alice's mum in Stanford-le-Hope more than once in our school holidays. Alice also looked after Simon, my husband-to-be, on the eve of our wedding. Over the years Alice became a particular friend of Beatrice, my mum, and they both eventually moved to the flats on the river and saw each other daily. Simon and I would visit Alice whenever we went to Gravesend, and she always welcomed us joyfully. After Beatrice moved to Buckinghamshire to be near me, Alice wrote regularly to keep mum up-to-date with the news from Gravesend, and Jenny once kindly brought Alice to visit her in her nursing home. We thoroughly enjoyed Alice's surprise 100th party, and saw her for the last time when we celebrated her 103rd birthday at Sue and John's home last year. She was a wonderful person, we all loved her, and will miss her very much.
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donated £50 in memory of Alice
In loving memory of a truly great lady who helped me to be reunited with my old school friends after nearly 30 years. Rest in peace Alice xx
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Alice with the Royal Swan Marker celebrating her 99th birthday, Swan-Upping on the Thames
Among the very happy memories of times John and Gwen shared with Alice is this, the day before her 101st birthday, with lunch at The Yorkshire Rose in Warfield.
Lots of love and thanks for the happy memories! Marco xx
At Inn on The Lake on Alice's 100th birthday 2016
Surprise, surprise
Greeting Alice at her surprise 100th party!
Celebrating Alice's birthday in 2003 on the London Eye. We have such fond memories of meeting her and being her guests in Gravesend. Judy & Marilyn, San Anselmo, CA
Alice and Joyce when they met in March this year. Mum will miss the phone calls. God bless Joyce, Linda and Tim Jeffrey.
Alice in Sulham woods, Tilehurst in April 2019. Alice said she hadn't been to see bluebells for years
Alice in Sulham woods April 2019
Blowing the cobwebs away down at the prom x
Me and my friend Alice at Millbrook Garden centre, Having lunch with Sue and John x
One of our many trips to Millbrook Garden Centre :-) This was a particularly giggly day x
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