Cynthia Hanson White

    Cynthia Hanson White lived a life to behold. Her life began in Indianapolis on January 5, 1936. She began figure skating at a young age, and she not only enjoyed skating, she excelled at the sport. This love and the training it required led her to travel to Lake Placid, New York to continue her training during the summers. This love and adventure ultimately led her to the next love and adventure in her life, her husband Donald White. Cynthia met a dashing hockey player named Don on the ice rink as young teens. Falling in love, they returned to Indianapolis and they married in 1954. While living with Cynthia’s mother and grandmother, Dorothy (Mom) Hanson and Bertha (Seppie) Cooper, Don and Cynthia expanded both of their educations at Butler University as well as concurrently expanding their family. 

    New experiences and joy came soon after marriage in the form of adding lively daughters Elise, Michele, Jennifer, and Andrea. During her time at Butler University, Cynthia participated in Color Guard in the Marching Bulldogs and was even awarded “Kennel Queen” in 1958. Following graduation from Butler University with Magna Cum Laude, Cynthia began her French Education career teaching for more than 30 years at Pike High School in Indianapolis. She touched many lives through teaching and left a positive impact on countless students. She held students and family to a high standard, but also worked with them to provide tools and support to succeed. She did not hesitate to speak up or correct someone when she objected to something she saw happening, but it was always done with a firm kindness. She respected others opinions, accepted others choices, and loved people for who they were.  People were encouraged to leave their muddy and pasture boots on the porch though as everyone has a limit. Her home was always welcome for people to come just as they were. 

    She enjoyed sharing her passions and enjoyments in life with those around her. These often included her stories about the Brownie people, preparing meals (including letting the grandchildren and great-grandchildren cut strawberries for a meal), teaching figure skating, and all things equestrian. Cynthia had a very deep love of horses and made sure her daughters, and many of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren, became smitten with them as well. More than once she could be recalled hauling her small children back to the house from a visit to the horse barn and pasture.

    She was known to be a bit mischievous as well. Oftentimes she might be caught teaching some of the youngest family members to make crazy faces, tell them a joke, or even doing a couple shots with the grandkids that were of age. No one left the house without a conversation, food either in their belly or as leftovers in an old Country Crock container, a hug or wave, and an I Love You.

    Her family continued to expand with marriages, births, and assimilations. Hers was a family made up of both biological and non-biological members. She loved and welcomed everyone just as they were. She may not have agreed with everyone’s decisions in life, but she had a wholehearted welcoming policy to all of those in her life. Cynthia was known by many names; Cynthia, Mrs. White, Mother, Mutti. We will remember her through stories, names, likenesses, pictures, and family. Cynthia’s impact is more than one can really put into words.

    She will live on through those survived by her; husband Donald White, and daughters Elise White Werner (Thomas) Galusha, Michele (Brent) Callahan, Jennifer (Christopher) Oracheff, and Andrea (Christian) Badger. Grandchildren include Sean (Valorie) Werner, Phil Werner and Julie Eaglin, Christian (Heather) Werner, Stephanie (Morgan) Wilkins, Melissa (Robert) Korthas, Jaclin (Chris) Miller, Alexander (Cheyenne) Badger, Jeff Callahan and Kayla Hart, Jessica (Carl) Girt, Aaron Badger, Julie Callahan and Ryan Hoffman, Katherine Oracheff and Zachary Taylor, Andrew Oracheff, Justin Badger. Great-Grandkids include Gavin (Morgan) Werner, Emily Head and Joshua Perdue, Aiden Werner, Ethan Head, Gavin Allen, Lillian Werner, Aubrey Smith, Wyatt Werner, Lilah Allen, Violet Badger, Millicent Wilkins, Abraham Wilkins, Jackson Barrett, Cora Barrett, Claire Korthas, Olivia Korthas, and Eleanor Girt. Additional loved ones include Ryan Pike and Alexander Reinhardt.

    Memorial service for Cynthia Hanson White will be held Friday October 22, 2021 at First Friends Church, 3030 Kessler Blvd E Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46220 from 2pm to 3pm. A Calling with family will follow in the parlor from 3pm to 4pm.

If you would like to make a donation in lieu of flowers honoring her memory, please visit Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue or mail to Heart of Phoenix, PO Box 81 Shoals, WV 25562; or Shadarobah Horse Rescue or mail to Shadarobah Horse Rescue, P.O. Box 15323
Fort Wayne, IN 46885.

Online condolences may be shared at www.flannerbuchanan.com.