Stoughton Obituary: Joanne White, 35

Remembered for her "big smile," and her "quick pace" which would "bring instant comfort to anyone she met," Joanne White, of Stoughton, passed away July 21 at the age of 35.

White died from injuries sustained when she was struck by a vehicle backing out of a driveway on Lincoln Street in Stoughton last Sunday night.

White, who was four months pregnant, was walking with her 11-year-old son, Jahmare, at the time, police said.

Jahmare escaped injury, hiding behind a tree, but Joanne was struck.

"[The driver] backed out of a driveway at 107 Lincoln at a high rate of speed, crossed onto the opposite sidewalk and struck [White] before coming to rest against a tree," Stoughton Police Deputy Chief Robert Devine said in a statement.

"Stoughton Police and Fire personnel attempted life saving aid and [White] was transported via helicopter to Massachusetts General Hospital where both she and the unborn child were pronounced dead."

The driver, Karen Blau, 46, of Sharon, was charged with motor vehicle homicide, and is also accused of having alcohol and drugs in her system at the time of the fatal crash.

White served as a Unit Supply Specialist in the United States Army National Guard before being honorably discharged with the rank of PV2, receiving her Army Service Ribbon. She was employed as a Supervisor with the Society Of St. Vincent De Paul in Stoughton for over eight years, according to her obituary.

Her hobbies included music, dancing and most of all spending time with her son and family, her obituary states.

Born in Roseau, Dominica, White moved to Massachusetts, going to Boston Public Schools, graduating from West Roxbury High School, and later attending Eastern Nazarene College and Massasoit Community College.

In addition to her son, White is survived by her parents, Joan T. ( Jones ) White and Joe White of Stoughton, and Jeanill Angol of Dominica, West Indies, and her companion, Jerry Busby of Stoughton, as well as her siblings, extended family and friends.

Visiting hours will be held Sunday, July 28 from 4 - 8 p.m. at the Sheehan Funeral Home, 115 Monk Street in Stoughton.

Her Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, August 5 at noon at the Immaculate Conception Church, 122 Canton Street (Rt. 27) in Stoughton. The funeral procession will be forming at 10:30 a.m. prior to the funeral mass at the Sheehan Funeral Home.

Click here to see Joanne White's complete obituary posted on the Sheehan Funeral Home website.