Carolyn Van White
February 23, 1943 ~ November 5, 2026
Born in:
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Resided in:
Marblehead, Massachusetts
Carolyn Van White (a.k.a., Nana Van, Nanz Bananz) was born on February 23, 1943, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She was the beloved daughter Gladys Maxine VanDorn Zeller and Robert Zeller. She passed away peacefully on November 5, 2026, surrounded by her family including her six grandchildren — her proudest accomplishment. She lived a full and active life dedicated to her family and her life-long love, the Kansas City Chiefs.
She will deeply missed by her two loving children: Kimberly White Easterbrooks and Wm. Gregory White, and her ex-husband Samuel Allen White, her lifelong friend since junior high school. Carolyn and Sam were jitterbug champions at Wyandotte High School in Kansas City, Kansas. She was adored by her six grandchildren: Kelly Caroline Jackson, Lauren Sophie Jackson, Casey Margaret White, Todd Warren Jackson, Corey Maxine White and Sarah Molly White. Her in-laws, Bonnie Washington, John Rohatsch, and Darby Easterbrooks, are forever grateful for her love and friendship.
She grew up in Kansas City, Kansas, and raised her family in Rocky Hill and West Hartford, CT. She had a career in insurance at Travelers and Aetna, before moving to Marblehead to help raise Kimberly’s three children. Her life-long impact in raising Kelly, Sophie and Todd was undoubtedly her proudest achievement later in life. She was often seen and loudly heard on the sidelines of all her grandchildren’s sporting events, art shows, musical recitals and all of their life events. She was the true loud cheerleader of the family. The adjective most used to describe her is “feisty.” She loved to dance, watch football, watch the water in Marblehead, enjoy a glass of Chardonnay, and spend time with her cat Kelce and her loved ones. Her personality and loving embrace of family packed a punch that far exceeded her 4 foot 11 inch frame.
Her family is planning a celebration of life in January. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in honor of Carolyn to the Kaplan Family Hospice House, c/o 75 Sylvan St., Danvers, MA, 01923 or online at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/xuihvw. Online condolences are available at www.LyonsFuneral.com.
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Our paths first crossed through my friendship with her daughter, Kimba, and the wonderful friendship between our boys, Ben and Todd. But over the years, Carolyn and I shared a connection that went beyond that. We enjoyed laughing together over social media, marveling at each other’s travels and adventures around the world, and, of course, sharing in the joy of watching Ben and Todd grow up. We felt fortunate watch these boys who, despite distance and passing years, held onto their friendship well into adulthood.
There is something very special about the people who become part of your life over the years and remain there, even when life takes everyone in different directions. Carolyn was one of those people for me. I will miss her warmth, our exchanges, and the little connections that kept us in each other’s lives.
Sending so much love to Kimba, Todd, and all of Carolyn’s family. She was clearly very loved, and she will be tremendously missed. ❤️