Claire White, devout Catholic
Claire (O’Brien) White, 86, of Lewes, sadly passed away Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. She was born in Englewood, N.J., and she was raised in Palisades Park and Hoboken, N.J.
Claire was crowned Miss Leonia High School in 1955, and later lived in Cliffside Park, Hillsdale, and Park Ridge, N.J., before moving to Millsboro. There, she worked for American Greetings until her retirement in Lewes.
Claire is survived by her daughter, Linda Desantis and her husband Don of North Carolina; her son, Paul Fedynich and his wife Valerie of Florida; her son, John Fedynich and his partner Ertug of New Jersey; her son, Jim Fedynich and his wife Lisa of Florida; and her daughter, Cathleen Lutz and her husband Frank of Delaware. Claire is also remembered by her nine grandchildren, Jason and his wife Karen, Caitlin and her husband Jimmy, Bobby and his wife Natasha, Heather and her husband Fernando, Brandon and his wife Amy, Brianna, Sebastian and his wife Jessica, Hughie, and Anna. Additionally, she had eight great-grandchildren, Corey and his wife Gabriella, Caroline, Cameron, Charlotte, Louis, Penelope, Samantha and Leo. She is also the aunt of Paul Zito Jr. and his wife Heidi, Michael Zito and his wife Roberta, and Terri Sihlanick and her husband Robert, all of New Jersey, as well as Phil Zito and his wife Suzanne of Arizona; along with many great-nieces and nephews.
Claire’s life was characterized by her faith and her deep love for family and community. Before relocating to Delaware, Claire and her husband Hugh owned Pop’s Delicatessen and Luncheonette in Park Ridge, conveniently located next to the high school. This venture allowed their family to engage with the community and support local sports and theater programs. She was cherished by many students and teachers who frequented the deli.
In Delaware, Claire dedicated her free time as a grandmother, attending Hughie and Anna’s sporting events, and sharing carpool duties with grandpa, complete with juice boxes and cookies. She also was active at St. Jude the Apostle Church in Lewes as a eucharistic minister, delivering communion to the sick and making rosary beads.
Claire was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Hugh R. White; her parents, Patrick and Margaret O’Brien of Tralee, Ireland, New Jersey, and Delaware; her sister, Marylou Zito of New Jersey; her in-laws, Hugh and Cecilia White of New Jersey and Delaware; her great-grandson, Ethan Garza of Florida; and her nephew, Thomas Zito, and great-nephew, Paul Zito III, both of New Jersey.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 2, at St. Edmond Catholic Church, 409 King Charles Ave., Rehoboth Beach. Friends and family may visit/view at the church beginning at 10:30 a.m. Interment will take place at 1 p.m., Monday, Nov. 4, at George Washington Memorial Park, 234 Paramus Road, Paramus, N.J.
Anyone unable to attend the services may view the livestream at: youtube.com/channel/UCKBkUj3Am_hZiVsHWAxlgWg.
In lieu of flowers, feel free to donate to a local hospice organization.
Visit Claire's Life Memorial webpage at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
