Claire White's Obituary
Claire (O’Brien) White, 86, of Lewes, sadly passed away on Tuesday, October 15, 2024. Born in Englewood, she was raised in Palisades Park and Hoboken, N.J.
Claire was crowned Miss Leonia High School in 1955 and later lived in Cliffside Park, Hillsdale, and Park Ridge, N.J., before moving to Millsboro, DE. There, she worked for American Greetings until her retirement in Lewes, DE.
Claire is survived by her daughter, Linda Desantis, and her husband Don of North Carolina; her son, Paul Fedynich, and his wife Valerie of Florida; her son, John Fedynich and his partner Ertug of New Jersey; her son, Jim Fedynich and his wife Lisa of Florida; and her daughter, Cathleen Lutz and her husband Frank of Delaware. Claire is also remembered by her nine grandchildren: Jason and his wife Karen, Caitlin and her husband Jimmy, Bobby and his wife Natasha, Heather and her husband Fernando, Brandon and his wife Amy, Brianna, Sebastian and his wife Jessica, and Hughie and Anna. Additionally, she had eight great-grandchildren: Corey and his wife Gabriella, Caroline, Cameron, Charlotte, Louis, Penelope, Samantha, and Leo. She is also the aunt of Paul Zito Jr. and his wife Heidi, Michael Zito and his wife Roberta, and Terri Sihlanick and her husband Robert, all of New Jersey, as well as Phil Zito and his wife Suzanne of Arizona, along with many great-nieces and nephews.
Claire’s life was characterized by her faith and her deep love for family and community. Before relocating to Delaware, Claire and her husband Hugh owned Pop’s Delicatessen and Luncheonette in Park Ridge, conveniently located next to the high school. This venture allowed their family to engage with the community and support local sports and theater programs. She was cherished by many students and teachers who frequented the deli.
In Delaware, Claire dedicated her free time as a grandmother, attending Hughie and Anna’s sporting events and sharing carpool duties with grandpa, complete with juice boxes and cookies. She also was active in St. Jude in Lewes as a Eucharistic Minister, delivering communion to the sick and making rosary beads.
Claire was predeceased by her husband, Hugh R. White, with whom she was married for 55 years; her parents, Patrick and Margaret O’Brien of Tralee, Ireland, New Jersey and Delaware; her sister, Marylou Zito of New Jersey; her in-laws, Hugh and Cecilia White of New Jersey and Delaware; her great-grandson Ethan Garza of Florida; and her nephew Thomas Zito and great-nephew Paul Zito III, both of New Jersey.
A Mass of Christian Burial and viewing will be held on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at St. Edmond's Catholic Church, 409 King Charles Ave, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971. Friends and family may visit/view at the church beginning at 10:30 AM with the mass at 11:30 AM. Interment will take place on Monday, November 4, 2024, at 1:00 PM at George Washington Memorial Park, 234 Paramus Road, Paramus, NJ 07653.
All those unable to attend the Mass are invited to join the service via livestreaming by visiting the church's YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKBkUj3Am_hZiVsHWAxlgWg.
In lieu of flowers, feel free to donate to your local Hospice organization.
Please sign the virtual guestbook located on the tribute page.
FLORIST NOTE: PLEASE DELIVER ALL ARRANGEMENTS BY 3:00 PM ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2024, TO OUR LEWES LOCATION.
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