Andrea White

Ande (Andrea Mason) White of Fairfax, Vermont, who spread love, laughter, and caring to her wide circle of family, friends, and students died on September 21, 2023 at the University of Vermont Medical Center of sudden onset Leukemia.

She is survived by her beloved partner of 26 years Marty (Martin) Minor with whom she shared an incredible relationship of mutual support and delight, and by her sister Pamela (Pam) Mason White with whom she was intertwined like honeysuckle vines. She is also survived by her brothers Douglas and Phillip White; three nephews— Ming Huei White Fisher (for whom she was a second mother), Quintin White, Douglas White; three nieces— Roxanne White Timsit, Simone White, and Sarah White; her new grand-niece Dylan Timsit; her devoted Uncle Gil and Aunt Bili Mason; her cousins; sisters-in-law; the marvelous Minor family; and Ande’s enormous ‘village’ of friends who worked tirelessly to bring her positive energy during her life and final days. All adored Ande, and Ande adored them. A very special relationship was with her cherished eldest brother Don White who predeceased her in 2021.

Ande was born on January 1, 1957 in Newport, RI, the state’s first baby that year, to Gloria and Donald White. She grew up in Wellesley, Massachusetts and graduated from the Cambridge School of Weston. An avid skier since childhood, the family had a vacation home in Franconia NH from where they skied Canon Mountain, and Ande became a ski instructor. For college, she moved to the Rockies where she gracefully skied the powder while earning a degree in art history from the University of Utah.

But from high school, her passion for equestrianism grew and she chose to pursue what became an illustrious career in dressage. In 1982 Ande moved to Vermont to be groom for Carol Lavell. Together they travelled to the Barcelona Olympics and won the first US medal for dressage in Olympic history.

Ande soon became an avid Vermonter. When Carol retired, Ande built a successful business teaching dressage. To her generations of students, she was not only instructor but also mentor and dedicated friend. She cherished and maintained those friendships throughout her life.

Ande’s loving, laughing presence will remain forever with Marty, Pam, and all of us whom she touched so profoundly. Ande modeled how to live a compassionate, committed, fully present, and exquisitely joyous life. Her sun, her sparkle will never dim in our memories and in our hearts.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Heifer Foundation https://myheiferfoundationgiving.org/ or the charity of your choice.