Patricia L. Everett Palmer White, 88

On Wednesday, May 13, 2026, Patricia (Pat) Lee Palmer White of Albuquerque, N.M., passed away at the age of 88 years as a result of pancreatic cancer. 

She will be lovingly remembered by her children, Marcus and Stephanie (Mike); grandsons Shane (Jennifer) and Lucas (Leah); great-grandson Ian; beloved brother Ron Palmer; nieces Kathy and Debbie; and her special friend, David Smoker. 

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 56 years, Arvin L. White; sister Sharon (Joe); and parents, Earl, stepfather Bud and Vivian. 

Pat was born in Sandpoint, Idaho, was salutatorian of her graduating high school class, attended Mills College and obtained her bachelor's degree in philosophy from the University of Idaho. She began her writing career at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., preparing scripts for tour guides. After moving to Albuquerque, Pat earned her master's degree in public administration from the University of New Mexico and worked writing papers and lobbying materials for various public interest groups, was hired as an administrative and technical writing contractor for local military agencies, Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories. 

After retiring, Pat and Arvin spent many happy years living in Baja, Mexico, where they built a native thatched roof Mexican house on a remote Baja beach. Pat was a fluent Spanish speaker which made living there so much easier. This was the happiest of times for them! Upon Arvin's cancer diagnosis and declining health, they moved back to Albuquerque where Pat got involved teaching English as a second language and was awarded Tutor of the Year, volunteered under a grant for the city of Albuquerque, District Attorney's Community Based Crime Reduction program for the International District. 

Pat traveled extensively in Mexico, throughout the former Soviet Union, Tibet, China, Peru, various parts of Europe and Brazil. She joined the Albuquerque Sister Cities program and traveled as a representative of Albuquerque to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. 

In 2019, Pat moved into independent living at Manzano del Sol where she was active in lots of activities, made many friends and was extremely happy. The staff and residents at Manzano made her last years safe, happy and supported. 

Pat and Arvin supported the Road Runner Food Bank for many years and asked that any attention that might be paid to them be paid there instead.