Joan G. (Rueff) White, 85, of Haymarket, Virginia died peacefully at her home in Haymarket on April 2, 2018, with friends and family by her side.
Joan was born on November 21, 1932, in Louisville, Kentucky to Frank and Gertrude (Carr) Rueff. She was the sixth of eight children and grew up in a loving home on Warner Avenue, in the neighborhood of St. Matthews.

She attended St. Anthony's Hospital Nursing School where she graduated as an Operating Room Nurse. Shortly after starting her career, she met Thomas D White, who was studying to become a doctor, and they married soon after.

Joan was a devout Catholic, and a shining example of the values of her faith. All who met her were in awe of her resolute devotion to God and the Mother Mary. She kept a positive attitude and a smile on her face no matter what the circumstances, and she had a determination and willpower that never ceased in the face of challenges up to the very end of her life.

Joan was an amazing woman with many friends. She was a wonderful mother to her children, a devoted wife to her husband and a trusted friend to everyone she met. She was called “Mom” by countless family friends who relied on her compassion, warmth and guidance, which she provided without judgment, and without hesitation. She was an athlete and sports enthusiast who loved to play tennis, and whose passion for Sunday Night Football left us wondering as young children who "Damn Sam" was. She loved to play, and would sit on the floor and play games with all the children, or go outside and play ‘run the bases’ with her children and the neighborhood kids. She could read five books at one time, sew a costume, and managed to attend every event her children appeared in. A wonderful cook, she often served 20 for a holiday dinner, and even while working full-time, managed to make breakfast, pack 6 lunches, and put a big dinner on the table every night, during which she would often regale the family on what happened in the OR that day. She was a champion for her loved ones, the church, and her good causes, volunteering when needed, and leading organizations to prosperity. She will be deeply missed.

Joan and Tom lived in many places throughout their 59 years of marriage. They traveled extensively throughout Europe while Tom was on active duty in the Army, and spent a lifetime traveling the 50 United States visiting friends and family.

She was proceeded in death by her parents, her brothers Jimmy, Martin, and Frank, and sisters Kitty, Dorothy and Mary. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Thomas D White, her six children, Joan Finn (George Campbell), grandchildren Remy and Bella, Jennifer White, Julie Tilt (Charlie Tilt), grandchildren Ariel and Azara, Tom White (Iris White), grandchildren Nicholas and Max, Janine Moore, grandchildren Alexandria, Aaron (Melodie), and Aidan, John White (Brittany White), grandchild Monroe, her sister Betty Tonini, and a large extended family.

The family wishes to thank Hospice, Dr. Frederic Lennon, and her caregivers Shannon, Megan, Lexi, Dominique, and Anji, for their incredible and loving care of their mother during her last years while battling cancer.

Services will be held on Thursday, April 12, 2018 at 11am at St. Stephens the Martyr Catholic Church, 23331 Sam Fred Rd, Middleburg, Virginia, 20117. A small reception with follow in the Churches' Hall after mass.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made in her name to St. Catherine Drexel Building Fund, a mission she helped start, at 4100 Mill Creek Rd, Haymarket, Virginia, 20169, attn. Mission Coordinator Ellen Sivick.

Please sign the guestbook at www.bakerpostfh.com

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