Barbara Jean White

Barbara Jean (Pickering) White, 78, passed away on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, surrounded by her family at the Cheshire Medical Center in Keene. She was born to the late Marjorie (Jennison) and Jesse Pickering on May 27, 1946, in Bellows Falls, VT. She graduated from Walpole High School, class of 1964. Barbara also attended college at Champlain College and Plymouth State College. On December 10, 1966, Barbara married James Bissell and had three sons, Peter, Matthew, and Mark. On June 8, 1996, Barbara remarried and exchanged vows with the love of her life, Edward N. White Jr., expanding the family with daughters Becky and Hailey. They had a simple service at the Marlow United Methodist Church celebrated by their family and friends. Barbara had a passion for helping others and worked multiple jobs over her broad career. Early on, she started working at Peerless Insurance Company and after a few other jobs ended up teaching pre-school at the little red schoolhouse in Marlow. After taking some time off to raise her family and babysit other neighborhood children, she went back to work in human resources for WKS, Inc. Barbara’s love for children finally led her to work in early childhood development and she spent the final decade of her career employed at the Keene Day Care Center. Alongside her work life, Barbara loved spending time with her family, participating in church and community activities and watching the New England Sports teams, especially the Celtics. When not busy baking for family and community events, Barbara enjoyed gardening, quilting, hiking, reading, dancing, and playing cards. She would never pass up an opportunity to take a trip to Aaron’s Specialty to meet with friends for a bite to eat or an ice cream. Barbara was an active member at the United Methodist Church in Marlow where she was the Treasurer, member of the choir, and active with the Marlow Women’s Fellowship. Mrs. White is survived by her husband, Edward “Bucky” White of Marlow, her children, Matthew Bissell and wife, Kyoko of Pensacola, FL, Mark Bissell and wife, Lisa Bolduc-Bissell of Richmond, VT, Rebecca Auger and husband, Andrew of West Chesterfield, and Hailey Mackey of Westmoreland. She is also survived by her siblings, Austin Pickering and wife, Sandy of Walpole, and Judy LaFountain and husband, Joe of Keene, along with 10 grandchildren and many cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. She was predeceased by her parents, her three siblings, Russell Pickering, Nancy Ramsey, Joan Swett, and her infant son, Peter Bissell. Calling hours will be held from 6:00pm to 8:00pm on Friday, August 30, 2024, in the Cheshire Family Funeral Chapel, 44 Maple Ave., Keene, NH, 03431. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00am on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at the Marlow United Methodist Church, 11 Church St., Marlow, NH, 03456. With a burial to follow at the Marlow Village Cemetery, Church St., Marlow, NH, 03456. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made out to the Marlow United Methodist Church in Barbara’s name. All services are under the care of Cheshire Family Funeral Chapel, Keene, www.cheshirefamilyfh.com.

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Barbara Jean White

May 27, 1946 - August 20, 2024