Elizabeth 'Betty' Ann White

On January 4, 2017, Elizabeth "Betty" Curran White peacefully passed away surrounded by her family. She was dearly loved, and will be greatly missed by her large family and many dear friends. God truly loved her and she thanked him every single day for her blessings. She often said Jesus was her best friend and wanted nothing more than to be in his arms. Her deep faith was the source of her strength, resilience, and the joy in her life. She lived her faith by attending daily Mass, keeping her weekly Adoration hour for 30 years, volunteering for Catholic organization for 40 years, bringing the Eucharist to the sick for 30 years, and sharing her time and casseroles with anyone in need. She lived generosity and gave everyone her sincerest love. Her needs were simple and her thinking of others, endless.
Only a very strong woman of great faith could survive losing 2 wonderful husbands while continue caring for 3, then another 7 children, with all the spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren that go with it. Her heart was full of so much love, that all those who knew her were changed by her kindness.
Betty was born February 27, 1930 in Kansas City, KS to Andy F. and Ann C. (Herson) Kulenski. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Robert J. Curran; second husband, James R. White and her parents. Survivors include her daughters, Connie M. Wood and husband John and Eileen E. Curran; a son, Robert J. Curran and wife Kristin; step-children, Dave White and wife Judy, Kathy Gillig and husband Larry, Jim White and wife Kim, Dan White and wife Connie, Tim White and wife Jo, Carol Bartolac and husband John, Mike White and wife Lisa; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; a sister, Donna M. Kiefer.
Betty had a passion and wonderful gift of singing. At barely a teen age, her grace and beautiful voice got noticed and she was singing professionally in front of big bands, cutting 33 rpm records, entertaining our military at bases in many states, and heard nightly on WDAF radio in Kansas City. She was the sweetheart and talent who won the local contest to perform with Bob Hope and his show when he came to town, and she was thrilled when he kept her singing for an unexpected encore! She could dance, sing, cook up a storm and fill any room with sunshine from her joyful presence. She was wholesome and would only see movies with a happy ending, but could also surprise you with a witty zinger when you least expected it! She took pride in her family and was the lucky wife of two fabulous husbands, Bob Curran and Jim White, who completely adored her and she loved them both with all her heart. She had 39 blissful years of marriage, and missed them terribly when they left her.
She lived generosity and gave everyone her sincerest love. Her needs were simple and her thinking of others, endless. Though we will miss her more than words can express, it is a comfort that she is once again beautiful and whole, surely singing for her loving family who've gone before her, and indeed wrapped in her Savior's arms forever. The love and memories she gave us will always stay treasured in our hearts.
Visitation will be held from 10-11 am Tuesday, January 10th at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 8311 W. 93rd St., Overland Park, KS. Mass of Christian Burial will follow the visitation at 11 am. Interment will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Kansas City, MO. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to Little Sisters of the Poor.
On January 4, 2017, Elizabeth "Betty" Curran White peacefully passed away surrounded by her family. She was dearly loved, and will be greatly missed by her large family and many dear friends. God truly loved her and she thanked him every single day for her blessings. She often said Jesus was her best friend and wanted nothing more than to be in his arms. Her deep faith was the source of her strength, resilience, and the joy in her life. She lived her faith by attending daily Mass, keeping her weekly Adoration hour for 30 years, volunteering for Catholic organization for 40 years, bringing the Eucharist to the sick for 30 years, and sharing her time and casseroles with anyone in need. She lived generosity and gave everyone her sincerest love. Her needs were simple and her thinking of others, endless.
Only a very strong woman of great faith could survive losing 2 wonderful husbands while continue caring for 3, then another 7 children, with all the spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren that go with it. Her heart was full of so much love, that all those who knew her were changed by her kindness.
Betty was born February 27, 1930 in Kansas City, KS to Andy F. and Ann C. (Herson) Kulenski. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Robert J. Curran; second husband, James R. White and her parents. Survivors include her daughters, Connie M. Wood and husband John and Eileen E. Curran; a son, Robert J. Curran and wife Kristin; step-children, Dave White and wife Judy, Kathy Gillig and husband Larry, Jim White and wife Kim, Dan White and wife Connie, Tim White and wife Jo, Carol Bartolac and husband John, Mike White and wife Lisa; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; a sister, Donna M. Kiefer.
Betty had a passion and wonderful gift of singing. At barely a teen age, her grace and beautiful voice got noticed and she was singing professionally in front of big bands, cutting 33 rpm records, entertaining our military at bases in many states, and heard nightly on WDAF radio in Kansas City. She was the sweetheart and talent who won the local contest to perform with Bob Hope and his show when he came to town, and she was thrilled when he kept her singing for an unexpected encore! She could dance, sing, cook up a storm and fill any room with sunshine from her joyful presence. She was wholesome and would only see movies with a happy ending, but could also surprise you with a witty zinger when you least expected it! She took pride in her family and was the lucky wife of two fabulous husbands, Bob Curran and Jim White, who completely adored her and she loved them both with all her heart. She had 39 blissful years of marriage, and missed them terribly when they left her.
She lived generosity and gave everyone her sincerest love. Her needs were simple and her thinking of others, endless. Though we will miss her more than words can express, it is a comfort that she is once again beautiful and whole, surely singing for her loving family who've gone before her, and indeed wrapped in her Savior's arms forever. The love and memories she gave us will always stay treasured in our hearts.
Visitation will be held from 10-11 am Tuesday, January 10th at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 8311 W. 93rd St., Overland Park, KS. Mass of Christian Burial will follow the visitation at 11 am. Interment will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Kansas City, MO. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to Little Sisters of the Poor.



SERVICES Visitation
Tuesday, January 10, 2017 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Church of The Holy Cross 8311 93rd Street Overland Park, KS - Kansas 66212
Mass of Christian Burial
Tuesday, January 10, 2017 11:00 AM
Church of The Holy Cross 8311 93rd Street Overland Park, KS - Kansas 66212
Burial
Tuesday, January 10, 2017 12:30 PM
Mount Olivet Cemetery 7601 Blue Ridge Blvd Kansas City, Missouri 64138