Sister Sally White, GNSH

Written on: May 6, 2026

Sister Sarah Gardiner (Sally) White, GNSH formerly Sister Frances Maureen, (94), died on May 1, 2026. She, Sarah White, was born in Augusta, GA on June 12, 1931 to Frank M. and Mary (Dorr) White. Sister Sally celebrated her 75^th anniversary as a Grey Nun of the Sacred Heart in 2024.

Growing up in Atlanta, sister attended Christ the King School and graduated from Christ the King High School in 1949. She received a BS/English from D’Youville College, Buffalo, NY (1957), and M.Ed./Administration from the University of Georgia (1968), and an MA/Pastoral Studies from Loyola University, New Orleans (1988). She held teaching certifications in New York and Georgia, and was a certified Chaplain in the National Association of Catholic Chaplains.

Sister Sally influenced the lives of countless young people and adults over the years of her ministry. She taught for four years at Holy Angels School in Buffalo and for 20 years in Atlanta, at Christ the King, Pius X High School, and St. Jude the Apostle, where she served as the first principal. Later, she began ministry as a Chaplain at St. Joseph Hospital of Atlanta (1988-2009), where she had a special care for patients and families dealing with cancer. Her ministry within the Congregation included elected membership on the Administrative Board (1971-75); and as Initial Formation Director and Vocation Director (1978-80).

Students, parents, faculty members, colleagues, patients, and staff experienced the warmth of her Southern hospitality as well as her passion for fairness and respect for every person. Her commitment to contemplative prayer was strong and she taught everyone with whom she ministered never to lose hope in God’s ability to bring light into dark times. Greeting almost everyone as “darlin” in her inimitable Georgia drawl, she witnessed in classroom, office, chapel, and hospital room to God’s love.

Sister is predeceased by her parents, her sister, Dr. Dorothy Sherrer, and her brothers Dr. William (Bill) and Dr. Francis (Frank) White. She is survived by her religious congregation, and by many devoted nieces and nephews.

Visitation at 9:30 am, sharing of memories at 10:00 am, and Funeral Mass to follow at 10:30 am on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 in the Medical Mission Chapel, 8400 Pine Rd, Philadelphia, PA. Burial in Resurrection Cemetery, Bensalem, PA.

Donations in her memory may be made to the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart, 928 Jaymor Rd., Suite C-120, Southampton, PA 18966 or at www.greynun.org. Arrangements by Beck-Givnish Funeral Homes.

This entry was posted in In Loving Memory and tagged: Christ the King School, D'Youville College, Holy Angels School, Loyola University, National Association of Catholic Chaplains, Pius X High School, Sister Sally White, St. Joseph Hospital Atlanta, St. Jude the Apostle, University of Georgia