Olive E. White, 96, of Ephrata, passed away peacefully on June 9, 2010, at the Columbia Basin Hospital in Ephrata. She was born on November 29, 1913, to John N. and Sallie A. Ryan, who were pioneer orchardists in Wenatchee, WA. Olive attended Lynnwood and Whitman Elementary Schools and Wenatchee High School. She then attended Wenatchee Business College and continued her education at Washington State College. In 1935, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public School Music and began teaching at Sunnyslope High School. Later, she received a graduate certificate for Elementary Education from Eastern Washington State College. In 1937, Olive moved to Ephrata to work for a local business firm. During the summer, she fell in love with the young banker, John White, and they married that fall. She began teaching in 1938, in the Ephrata School District, and retired in 1974. Olive was involved in many community organizations and activities. She gave her time at the Ephrata United Methodist Church, Eastern Star and was a DeMolay Mother Advisor. She was also active in Kappa Delta Sorority, PTA, PEO and the Ephrata Educational Association, served on the Ephrata Library Board and as a Girl Scout Leader. She and John were also active with the Ephrata Historical Society.

She is survived by three sons, Donald and wife, Beverly White, Larry and wife, Jewel White and Jay and wife, Carmen White, all of the Coulee City area; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Olive was preceded in death by her husband, John; a sister, Eunice Hansen; a brother, Elmer Ryan; and a grandson, Russell White.

A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, June 22, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. at the Ephrata United Methodist Church. All of Olive's friends and former students are invited to attend. If desired, memorials may be made to the Ephrata United Methodist Church or the Columbia Basin Hospital North Wing.