Joan Dee Martin 'Jo' White: Marblehead Real Estate Agent, Mother of Five

Joan Dee Martin “Jo” White died on May 4, 2015, after a brief illness. She was 91 years old.

As a young woman, White volunteered with the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves (SPARS) in Boston and worked for the Lenox Hotel as the general manager’s assistant before marrying Lewis B. White, known as Sam, and moving to Marblehead, according to her obituary on the Murphy Funeral Home website.

White became a young widow with five children and then embarked on a successful career as a real estate broker in Marblehead in order to support her family. She went on to be named the Chamber of Commerce’s Woman of the Year in 1986.

Known as “Ma White” to her children’s friends, she enjoyed cooking and hosting large groups of Marblehead Little League friends, family holiday dinners and 50-plus Naval Academy midshipman when they were in town for races.

She is survived by her five children, nine grandchildren and one great-grandson. Graveside services will be private, but the family requested that, In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Devereux House Resident Activity Fund, 39 Lafayette Street, Marblehead, MA 01945.

Read the full obituary on the Murphy Funeral Home website.