Joan White

Joan Patricia White, age 83, beloved wife and mother, passed away peacefully on October 15, 2025, from angiosarcoma cancer. Born March 24, 1942, in Plainwell, Michigan, to Clifford and Myrtle Petersen, Joan's life was marked by warmth, kindness and a generous spirit that touched many. She graduated from Plainwell High School in 1959 after performing as lead majorette in the marching band. She attended Western Michigan University for 2 years.

In 1961, Joan married the love of her life, Douglas, after initially meeting him on a blind date. Together, they built a life filled with love and adventure, raising two sons, Curtis and Daniel. Throughout her life, Joan called many places home, including Kalamazoo, Benton Harbor, Battle Creek, Grand Rapids, and Chicago, before settling in Georgia in 1985. Summers were cherished at the family's lake home on Lake Cadillac in Michigan, a place of peace and joy from 1994 to present. One of her greatest joys was entertaining at the lake.

Known for her outgoing personality, Joan was truly one of a kind. She had a vibrant social life and was an active member of PTA, Cub Scouts, and bridge clubs in both Atlanta and Michigan. She would never decline the opportunity to play bridge, especially at the Elks Club in Cadillac, Michigan. She was generous with her time and giving of her heart.

Joan started her career at the age of 4, selling sweet corn at her parents' country roadside stand. Many years later she reignited her career and spent nearly 20 years in various roles with Sears. After Sears, she transferred her skills to clerical work in various businesses.

In 1993, Joan found her true calling when she founded the non-profit organization Lighthouse Lymphedema Network (LLN). As Director, her vision led a group of volunteers to reach around the world in ways that only she could have dreamed of: providing education, networking, physical resources, financial assistance and more. Joan envisioned improving the lives of thousands, yet when she met or served even one person with lymphedema, she considered her time well spent. Her ability to see the big picture did not impair her ability to hear each individual.

During her 33 years with the Lighthouse Lymphedema Network, she was honored with the prestigious Channel 11 Alive Award for Community Service in 2008. Her story and impact were further recognized in the Living section of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2022, a testament to her influence and connection to the community. She received 3 National Lymphedema Network (NLN) D-Day Awards and 3 NLN Salute Awards for her outstanding work in educating, advocating, and creating awareness of lymphedema. In addition, in 2024, Joan was awarded the NLN Community Champion Award.

She did not restrict her passion for supporting the lymphedema community to the Lighthouse. She also acted as Board Chair for the National Lymphedema Network from approximately 1998 - 2003 and participated in the Lymph Advocacy Program. In addition, she worked with the International Lymphedema Framework Project, Lymphology Association of North America and The American Cancer Society.

Joan is survived by her devoted husband, Douglas White; her son, Daniel White; special brother James Petersen (Shirley) of Cadillac, MI; brothers-in-law Philip White, Ronald White (Rene); sister-in-law Marion Boehme; nieces Julie Petersen, Elizabeth Karam (Jerod), Andrea Ticknor (Nathan), Pam Murphy (Gary), Ronda Haymaker (Gene), Robyn Maxon (David); nephews Larry White (Char), Jeff White (Maria), Todd White (Michelle); numerous grand-nieces and grand-nephews and their children; many friends and loved ones from Michigan, Illinois and Georgia. She is preceded in death by her beloved son, Curtis White, and her parents, Clifford and Myrtle Petersen.

Joan's legacy of kindness, compassion, love and devotion will live on in all who knew her.

Funeral services will take place at Roswell Funeral Home, 950 Mansell Road, Roswell, GA 30076 on Saturday, November 1, 2025, with visitation at 1:00 pm and memorial service at 2:00 pm. There will be a Celebration of Life at Scotts Community Center, 8450 36th St. S, Scotts, MI 49088, on Friday, November 7, at 2:00 pm and a small graveside service at nearby Broughton Cemetery at 4:00 pm at which time she will be interred in the family plot.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Lighthouse Lymphedema Network at 5290 Matt Hwy, Suite 502-135, Cumming, GA 30028 or online at their website www.lighthouselymphedema.org.

While at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please take time to sign Joan's guestbook and/or share a memory with her family.

The White family is being cared for by the Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Homes and Cremation Society, 409 South Main Street, Vicksburg, MI 49097. 269-649-1697.