Patricia A. White "Tricia" (June 28,1956 - October 24, 2026)

Patricia was born in Yonkers, NY on June 28, 1956 to her parents Joseph and Rosemary Fitzgerald and was their only child. She grew up in South Yonkers, Ludlow Street until the family moved to North Broadway in 1968.

Tricia began taking piano lessons at 8 years old and continued with lessons until she was 17. The lessons created her lifelong love of music. She also grew up with pets in her family and she loved animals.

Tricia graduated with honors from ST. Claire's Academy, an all-girl Catholic High School, in Hastings-on-Hudson, NY.

Following her High School graduation Tricia accepted her first job in receipts and deposits with the Carvel Ice Cream Company at their home office on Tuckahoe Road in Yonkers. After several years she left Carvel and joined the Marine Midland Bank at the Cross County Shopping Center in Yonkers.

On August 4, 1984 Tricia was introduced by mutual friends to Dennis White. Shortly after the couple fell in love during a trip to Newport, Rhode Island. They were married on December 1, 1985 at the Sacred Heart Church in Yonkers.

Tricia and Dennis relocated to New Jersey in 1989 for Dennis' business career. She returned to school and earned her Associates Degree from
Burlington County College in 1996. Then she completed her Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1999 at the College of New Jersey.

After completing her education Tricia was a substitute teacher. Then in 2002 she decided to teach music privately when she finally had the opportunity to pursue her lifelong passion of sharing her love for music. Tricia did not just teach her students how to play songs. She took them through music theory and how to read sheet music. In addition to classical pieces, she researched music that was aligned with the interests of each of her students. This included everything from her favorite composers Chopin and Debussy to German folk songs, Broadway show tunes, the Beatles and numerous other classical and contemporary artists. She gave the lifelong gift of music to her numerous students until 2021.

While teaching music Tricia also volunteered at Tabby's Place, a cage free, no kill Cat Sanctuary in Ringoes, NJ. She conducted tours of the facility and was an adoption counselor. In 2014 Dennis and Tricia adopted 3 cats from Tabby's Place.

Tricia and Dennis both loved to travel and they were fortunate to do so extensively throughout the United States and globally to countries in Asia, Europe and South America during their 41-year marriage.

Due to a stroke her health began to decline in 2022.

Tricia passed away peacefully at her home in Raritan Township New Jersey early in the morning of October 24, 2024. Dennis was at her side and their three cats were all nearby.

She is survived by her husband Dennis and their cats Auntie'M, Bruna and Clarice. Her legacy will live on in the music she gave to her numerous students, and in the love, she shared with Dennis and her numerous friends and relatives.

A private funeral for Tricia was held on Friday, October 30, 2026.