July 6, 1943 – December 16, 2020
Throughout her long and courageous battle with AML, Barbara never lost her feisty spirit or her wicked sense of humor.
Born in New Bedford, she graduated from New Bedford High School in 1961. She attended North Adams State and then Cape Cod Community College where she met her husband Paul. They married in 1965 and have spent more than half a century enjoying family, friends, careers and travel, always side by side.
She leaves behind her sister, Nancy Walsh, of New Bedford and her partner John Gardner. Her daughter, Sarah White Rotcavich of Brewster and her grandsons Kai and Carter Rotcavich. Her son, Paul White IV of Derry, NH and his wife Mariha and their children, Chloe, Christian, Lula, Anne and Savannah. Her sister-in-law Linda Shea and her husband John as well as her nephew Brendan Shea and his family all of Haleiwa, HI.
Barbara had a distinguished career with what is now Verizon, starting as a switchboard operator in New Bedford and then as a service representative in Hyannis and Falmouth and finally as a Force Manager in Providence and Braintree. As those who knew her best said at her retirement party, she did it her way! This was true about every aspect of her life.
She was an enthusiastic tennis player who loved competing in local tournaments with Paul and Linda and was inducted into the 4C’s Hall of Fame. She cherished the years of social tennis on the Cape with lifelong friends and that led to many of Barbara and Paul’s off-court adventures. She loved a trip to a casino and made friends at every blackjack table she ever sat at. She was fiercely protective of her loved ones, charitable to her neighbors and always there with a listening ear and an open heart for all who knew her.
When it is safe to gather, there will be a party to celebrate her life and she hopes to see you all there!
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in her name to the Cape Cod Needy Fund.
Cape Cod Times Needy Fund
P.O. Box 804
Hyannis, MA 02601
For online condolences, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com.
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