84, of Massachusetts, formerly of Port aux Basques, Newfoundland.
Passed away on February 3, 2009 after a brief illness. Anne, the second of nine children born to the late Victor Llewellyn Billard and Josie (Jeans) of Channel, N.L., started her career in education early. Having skipped two grades, Anne received her teaching certificate and taught locally in Port aux Basques and the surrounding area for several years. She married the young principal, Eric S. White. Fourteen months later, Eric was tragically killed in a car accident. Although his untimely death was devastating to her, three months later she gave birth to a daughter, Nancy. Anne never remarried.
Anne taught in the Yukon Territories and eventually attended Boston University where she earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education. She became an Assistant Professor in Education at Memorial University in St. John’s and taught there for two years. (1956-57) Anne moved back to Massachusetts, where she helped pioneer a new remedial reading program in the Newton School system. She was one of four specialists teaching in the 26 elementary schools. For over 30 years, Anne taught in Newton and was a dedicated and compassionate advocate of children.
Anne was a strong, independent woman, who was an avid reader and loved to travel. She should be remembered for her tremendous faith in God, despite the challenges she encountered. Anne courageously lived for seven years with Alzheimer’s disease. Her legacy to her family is her faith, humility and compassion. Her greatest joy was her three grandchildren, twins Eric and Rachel, 19, and Travis, 17. Anne leaves her daughter and son-in-law Nancy (White) and William F. Lynch of Hampstead, N.H.; her three grandchildren and her five remaining siblings: Dorothy Eastman, Virginia Beach, VA; Robert Billard, Dieppe, NB; Alice Pike, Eastern Passage, NS; Maxwell Billard, Foxtrap, NL; Laura Tevault, Indianapolis, IN, as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.
Anne was proud of her Newfoundland heritage and will be buried next to her late husband, Eric. Services will be held on Saturday, June 27 at 10:00 a.m. at St. James Anglican Church in Channel, N.L.