Regina “Gini” C. White surrendered to a long battle with cancer on September 1st, 2023. She passed away with her family by her side at her home in North Wales, PA, at age 70.
Born in West Philadelphia on October 31st, 1952, Gini was the 3rd of seven children born to Edward T. and Sylvia B. (Lansing) Strayer. Shortly after her birth, the Strayers moved to Levittown, PA where she grew up with her six siblings, met her lifelong best friend, and her future husband.
As a child, Gini loved to play with her siblings and neighborhood kids. In winters they would bravely sled down “The Big Hill” and in the summer rode their bikes down it. She loved the beach and spent summers with her sisters and cousins in Margate and on the Atlantic City boardwalk. At age 8, Gini began baton twirling with her older sister, Kathy. Their talents landed them spots twirling batons during Philadelphia Eagles’ home games when they were in high school. Kathy & Gini would take the train to 30th Street Station to get to Franklin Field. They performed on the field for pregame and halftime entertainment in their Eagles issued uniform—blonde wigs, green sequin outfits and white go-go boots. After graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1970, Gini entered the workforce. On March 19th 1973, Gini and Stephen (Steve) White III drove to North Carolina where they eloped. At the time of her death, Gini and Steve had been married for 50 years.
In 1980, the married couple moved themselves and their two children, Valerie White (age 4 at the time) and Stephen White IV (age 2 at the time) to 446 E Main Street, Lansdale, PA. Gini found work as a secretary for a small electrical company (Walker) where she fielded calls and managed appointments for two outside industrial electrical sales representatives. Over time, Gini took the initiative to educate herself on the industry beyond the responsibilities of a secretary, eventually becoming a sales rep herself. The last many years Gini was employed by Brazill Brothers, Inc. where she proudly worked until her passing. During her 30 years in the construction electrical industry, not only did Gini become one of the very few women in her industry, but she acquired legendary status amongst her peers. Strong work ethic, combined with genuine kindness, sharp skills, and intelligence, made Gini supremely successful. She worked to provide for her family and was able to love her job as she did so. Her son followed in the industry, also quite successfully, and is still fondly and proudly recognized as “Gini White’s son.”
As an adult, Gini spent her time attending her children’s (and then grandchildren’s’) events: ball games, concerts, auto races. She loved going to bingo once a week, and visiting casinos with her husband, best friend or sisters. She often “won big” and when she did, she gave portions of her winnings to charity. Gini loved to donate to St. Jude’s for Children, as well as charities for Autism and Epilepsy. As her children had children, Gini became the perfect grandmother, spoiling her grandkids every chance she got and even dressing up with them on Halloween (Gini’s birthday).
Gini was loved by all—her family, her coworkers, her children’s friends, her daughter in law’s family….everyone. She was genuine, kind, humble and fun. Her smile will live forever. She is survived by her husband, Steve, her two children and three grandchildren. Valerie White, her daughter and mother of Gini’s granddaughter Charlotte S. White. Her son – Stephen White IV (“Stevie”), his wife, Katie White (who Gini absolutely adored) and their two boys – Stephen White V and Brayden W. White. She is also survived by all six of her siblings: Sister Linda Strayer, Kathy Hughes (Strayer), Maryellen Malack (Strayer), Maureen Cardona (Strayer), Donna Sobel (Strayer), and Tom Strayer. Gini was an amazing aunt to 7 nieces and 3 nephews and countless friends who only knew Gini as “family.”
Services for Gini will be held at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, 51 Lansdale, Ave, Landale, PA 19446, on Monday, September 11th, 2023. The viewing will be in Church from 9:30 AM to10:45 AM and will be followed by Gini’s Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow at Forest Hills Cemetery, 25 Byberry Rd, Huntington Valley, PA 19006.
In lieu of flowers, Gini asked that donations be made to the Epilepsy Foundation at www.epilepsy.com in the name of Cyrus Cossman.