Obituary: Patsy Lee White
Patsy Lee White, 76, passed away peacefully at Kitty Askins Hospice Center in Goldsboro, NC, after a courageous battle with cancer. A private ceremony to celebrate Patsy’s life will be held at a later date.
Patsy was born the youngest of 5 living children in Montgomery County, PA, to Grace M. Cruickshank and Clarence D. Worthington. Her father was a car salesman for years, and Patsy jokingly recalled him bringing home “old clunkers” for the kids to drive. It wasn’t unusual to find that the windshield wipers didn’t work in a downpour, or that the brakes were weak while going full speed on the PA turnpike. After graduating high school in PA, Patsy married and relocated to New Mexico, gave birth to daughter LeAnne, and eventually moved permanently to NC in 1973.
After moving to NC, Patsy earned her LPN and then her RN nursing license and was employed at Lenoir Memorial Hospital (now UNC Lenoir) for over 40 years. She first worked on the orthopedic floor and later transferred to the Emergency Department, where she stayed until her retirement. Patsy had a strong work ethic and reportedly “ran a tight ship” when serving as charge nurse. Patsy loved her patients and special coworkers, enjoyed teaching and mentoring new staff, and dedicated her career to the art of nursing.
Patsy enjoyed collecting baseball cards and going to auctions to find vintage items that reminded her of times past. She and her sister Linda have operated Chubby Nubby’s Thrift Store for many years. She also enjoyed reading, going to the gym, visiting family, traveling, and babysitting her “grand dogs”.
Patsy is survived by her daughter, LeAnne W. Avery and husband Chris; sister, Linda M. Allen; nieces and nephews, Brenda Worthington, Charles Allen Jr., Doug Worthington (Connie), JoAnna Allen, Valerie Palazzone (Dan); beloved cat, Sweet Pea; special friends, cousins and great-nieces and nephews.
Patsy was preceded in death by her parents, Grace M. Cruickshank and Clarence D. Worthington; her 2 brothers and their wives, Bruce C. Worthington (Emma) and Wayne L. Worthington (Cass); sister, Carol D. Worthington; and brother-in-law, Charles Allen, Sr.
The family would like to thank Patsy’s medical care teams and Kitty Askins Hospice Center for taking such wonderful care of her throughout her illness. If you’d like to remember Patsy, donations can be made to Kitty Askins Hospice Center via their website or mailed to: 3HC c/o, Philanthropy Department, 2402 Wayne Memorial Drive, Goldsboro, NC 27534
Arrangements made by Edwards Funeral Home & Cremations. Online condolences may be made at www.edwardsfhc.com
