Patricia Anne White, 92, a resident of the Forest Grove community, passed away peacefully in the early morning on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at Marcella’s Adult Foster Care home in Aloha where she was receiving care after a serious fall.

Patricia was born October 23, 1931, in Forest Grove, Oregon, the daughter of the late Joseph Ferdinand and Marjorie Lucille VanDyke (Porter). She was raised in Verboort, Oregon and received her grade school education at Visitation Catholic School in Verboort, followed by graduation from Forest Grove High School, Class of 1949. Patricia was shy but very beautiful and friendly and she was elected FGHS Homecoming Queen her senior year, which was a fond memory for her.

Patricia was united in marriage to Robert Wellington White on July 23, 1949, in the Visitation Catholic Church in Verboort. Following their marriage, they resided in the Forest Grove community and moved to The Homestead Senior Community in 2005.

Patricia was preceded in death by her husband, Robert, on March 8, 2018, after celebrating over sixty-eight years of marriage together. She continued residing at The Homestead, until 2022, when she moved to Pacific Grove Senior Living in Forest Grove, where Patricia had resided since.

Patricia was a loving mother who inspired her children to participate in dance, music, sports and to get a good education (and to wear nice clothes and plenty of jewelry.)

Patricia was also a dedicated homemaker but while her children were young, she worked summers as a “field boss” at her Uncle Ed Porter’s strawberry patches in Verboort. When her children got older, she was able to work more outside the home. She was a successful Avon sales representative and enjoyed time with her many customers. She also had worked for Pacific University in the admissions office for many years.

Patricia and Robert were members of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Forest Grove for many years, and she enjoyed singing in the church choir with her lovely soprano voice. After the move to The Homestead, they began attending St. Alexander Catholic Church in Cornelius. They also enjoyed membership in the Forest Grove Elks Lodge.

Patricia’s great grandfather, John R. Porter, was a pioneer nurseryman who traveled to California in 1849 for the Gold Rush. He found some gold but also came back to Verboort with Giant Sequoia seed cones which he grew into seedlings and planted at the Washington County Courthouse in Hillsboro, Visitation Church in Verboort, and at Pacific University in Forest Grove. Patricia and her family were very proud of this local legacy.

Among Patricia’s special interests, she enjoyed collecting antiques and searching for “treasures” at garage sales and thrift stores. Over the years she also loved ballroom dancing, wearing fashionable clothes, entertaining, decorating, camping, waterskiing, and traveling to Hawaii and Mexico. Patricia and Robert also spent much time at their vacation homes in Rockaway Beach, Oregon and Yuma, Arizona where they enjoyed many winters. Patricia definitely lost her early shyness, and she became known for her outgoing and social personality. This was especially evident when she helped put on and participated in events with her “Red Hat Society” friends.

Patricia was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Marjorie VanDyke; her brother, Don VanDyke and sister, Carol Moore.

Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, David White and Michelle DeLaVergne White, of Beaverton, Oregon; her daughter and son-in-law, Brenda and Jim Wright, of Hillsboro, Oregon; her brother and sister-in-law, Ron and Jan VanDyke, of Hillsboro, Oregon; her brother, Merle VanDyke, of Seattle, Washington and her sister-in-law, Joanne VanDyke, of Hillsboro, Oregon.

Also surviving are her four grandchildren, Brannon Wellington White, of Portland, Oregon; Brittany Elisabeth White, of Vancouver, Washington; Michelle Jenne’ Foley and her husband, Tim, of Sherwood, Oregon and Kristen Marie Cody and her husband Mitchell, of Hillsboro, Oregon; her two great-grandchildren, Grace Marie Foley and Hannah Kathryn Foley and many nieces and nephews.

The family suggests that any contribution in her memory be made to St. Alexander Catholic Church, P.O. Box 644, Cornelius, Oregon 97113.