Passed away peacefully on Monday, September 7, 2026, at the age of 86. Jean was born on May 21, 1940, to the late Leo and Gladys Polete (née O’Keefe).
Jean was the beloved wife of the late Don White. They married in 1961 and shared nearly 60 years together before his passing in 2021. She is survived by their children, Robin (Michael) Ebers, Douglas (Marcia) White, Kimberley White-Mengis, and Cari White; her cherished grandchildren, Andrew, Christopher (Olivia), Zech, Laura (Alex), Kyle, Peyton, Jack, Luke, and Matt; and her great-grandchildren, Harrison and Shiloh. She also leaves behind her much-loved and spoiled dog, Simon.
Jean loved telling stories about her family and growing up in south St. Louis with her sisters, nieces and nephews. Her four sisters were a large part of her life. She is survived by her sister Rosemary (the late Leo) Woods and was preceded in death by her sisters Helen (Irving) Crowley, Emma (Cecil) Harp, and Dorothy (Dale) Nuckolls. Jean was also a dear cousin, aunt, great-aunt, great-great-aunt, and friend.
Born in St. Louis, Jean graduated from McKinley High School and married Don in 1961. She did production work for companies including National Graphics, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Nestlé. She enjoyed watching Cardinals baseball, attending her children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events, listening to music, reading romance novels, ordering a drink at any event she attended, getting her nails done, watching a good movie or TV series, visiting with relatives and friends, and having long talks about the people and things she loved.
Services: Visitation will be held at Kutis South County Funeral Home, 5255 Lemay Ferry Road, St. Louis, MO 63129, on Sunday, September 27, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. A celebration of Jean’s life will be held in late October or early November; details will be shared when available.
So very sorrry for your loss. May she rest in peace.
We love and miss you grandma. Thank you for all unforgettable Christmas eves and nights where we’d stay up watching movies when Chris and I were kids. They were times we will never forget. RIP.
I will miss her. Praying for all of you.
I spent almost every summer with my aunts. We would all go to the skating rink which is one of my fondest memories. When aunt Jean would get paid we’d go out to eat. Aunt Jean was only 7 years older than me and I loved hanging out with her and her friends as well as my Aunt Rosemary. My best memories are spending summers with them.. Times were different then. I even wore her wedding dress to my wedding..
I’m so sorry for your family’s loss. Hugs and prayers for you all.
Some of my most cherished childhood memories were made at Aunt Jeans house. It was a staple of my childhood and I’m forever thankful for Aunt Jean and her awesome basement of memories. Thank you for that! I will cherish it for life.
Love, Bridget.
I love you so much mom this poem is for you.
Let me tell you about my best friend, she was my real life super hero right up until the end.
My mother was a beacon, she shined brighter than any star up in the sky, she guided, and protected us, using breadcrumbs full of light.
Her life may have seemed simple to the outsider looking in, for they only witnessed fractions of her story, not realizing the plot twists that stretched from the beginning to the end.
She was born into poverty , 1940 was the year, Her mother had five daughters to provide for and hunger was her biggest fear.
She grew up knowing struggles, working hard for what little she would gain, yet she survived the hardships of her childhood and being no stranger to its pain.
She evolved into a wife and a mother, working hard to provide her family with a better life than she ever dreamed of.
Our father and her made that dream come true, going beyond and above.
My mother was not simple not simple at all, she was extraordinary, she rose when most would fall.
She helped turn a house into a home.
So none of her children ever needed to roam.
She was a super hero to me she showed me the person that i strive to be.
I dont know how to do life without her by my side
She was my inspiration and my light guiding me through the darkness of this life.
I cherish every memory, and every smile she bestowed upon me
She will never be forgotten she will always be the
light so we all can see.
She will always be a super hero I dont believe this is her last flight she of all people will aquire her wings she will become our gaurdian angel and always be our guiding light.
So sorry for your loss. Jean was a great neighbor for many years. May she rest in peace. Prayers