Helen Kathryn Hamilton White passed away peacefully on October 16, 2024. Helen was born in Fort Shafter, Honolulu, Hawaii on August 10,1927 to the late Master Sergeant Augustus Hamilton, Sr and Polish immigrant Nellie Osowsky Hamilton. A self-described “Army Brat,” Helen moved to multiple bases across the country with her parents and five siblings. These experiences marked her life with a spirit of adventure, love of travel, curiosity and hard work.

A member of “The Greatest Generation,” Helen was devoted to a life of service. She was immensely proud of her training in the US Cadet Nurse Corps at Sacred Heart Hospital. The Corps was created by President Franklin Roosevelt to ensure that the US had enough nurses to care for the needs of its citizens on both the home and war fronts. In her words, “I was honored to be accepted into the Cadet Nurse Corps. This program provided the best nursing education I could have had and helped me develop self-discipline, duty and appreciate the value of service to others. And it was fun to wear the Corps uniform because the military guys didn’t know to salute or not but almost always did - sure made me feel important. I wouldn’t trade those years as a Cadet Nurse for anything. We studied hard and worked hard and made great friendships that have lasted a lifetime.”

The leadership skills she developed in training served her well throughout her long and illustrative career. From public health nurse to floor nurse to Supervisor to Director of Nursing to Hospital Inspector at The Joint Commission, Helen served with honor, integrity and compassion. Some of her fondest professional memories and lifelong friendships came from her time working at Baptist Hospital. Helen also served as a volunteer for numerous organizations including the Altar Guild of Immanuel Lutheran Church, March of Dimes, American Lung Association, and was a member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha sorority.

Helen believed in continual learning and while working full-time with four children, she went on the receive her BA degree in psychology and her Master’s degree in management at University of West Florida. In her retirement, Helen continued to serve in numerous roles including election judge, Long Term Care Ombudsman and mentor to young nurses.

As important as her nursing career was to her, Helen was even more passionate about her family whom she adored. She was an inspiring and loving mother and role model for her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was always ready to lend an ear and offer her support and wisdom when needed.

Helen was a fun-loving, gregarious hostess and loved making birthday and holiday celebrations special. She loved to cook and over the years, baked thousands of Christmas cookies, hid countless Easter eggs, and eagerly tried new recipes all the time. She also loved attending concerts, theatre, festivals, school plays and recitals of any kind. She loved traveling in the US and Europe as well as trips to the Casino.

Helen was truly one of a kind. Her generosity, charm, quick wit, and kindness touched the lives of everyone who had the good fortune to know her.

Helen was predeceased by her parents and her siblings Margaret McPhail, Augustus “Gus” Hamilton Jr, Natalie Allen, Augusta McLeod, and Robert “Bob” Hamilton; her former husband of 25 years Herman White Jr.; and granddaughter Bobbie Lou Mae White. She is survived by her children, Louis White, J.D. White, Beth White (Zet Smith), Herman Berry White III (Linda White), grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. She adored them all.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Salvation Army, the Red Cross, Immanuel Lutheran Church, or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.