Page 44 - Luce 2024

Obituaries

Donald James White (1973)
27 August 1949 – 9 May 2023

Donald Donald and Mona set up a flower The College acknowledges, in sympathy,
was born in shop before Donald completed those deceased alumni of whom it has
Melbourne, a Graduate Diploma in Teaching become aware since the previous edition.
the first of (Monash). He lectured at Monash
five children. International helping students adjust Together with the accompanying
After to academic work in Australia and obituaries, the College has also learned of
attending later taught as a secondary school the following deaths in our community:
Melbourne teacher in Hamilton, Victoria. His
Grammar School he studied understanding of other cultures was
Architecture at Melbourne University. a great benefit to students at Monash Helen Stephinson (Webb Ware 1955)
During his studies Donald developed International where he again made 7 August 1936 - 3 October 2019
his wide interests in art, music, lasting friendships.
architecture, antiques, cooking and Susan Louise Woods (Horne 1953)
travel. He took particular interest in Donald part-retired to Hamilton, 20 August 1934 – 4 June 2021
Indian miniatures of Rajasthan, a love and taught locally whilst creating a
of which led to study, many trips and beautiful garden with his wife, Jiyoung Faye Ennis-Harris (1951)
lifelong friends. Yang. He entertained many friends 7 January 1933 – 22 August 2021
who made a point of visiting Hamilton
Donald initially lived at Trinity College to enjoy relaxing country hospitality. Judith Towl Blackett-Smith
and moved to become one of the Donald continued to collect antique (Stevenson 1946)
first male students in Janet Clarke cookbooks, to research the history of 26 June 1928 – 6 September 2022
Hall. Known for his wicked sense Australian cooking and experiment
of humour and playful nature, he with recipes – he made delicious gin Katharine Amey Roberts (1942)
had some trouble convincing the and many interesting preserves. 16 November 1923 – 25 February 2023
JCH maintenance man that the fire
surround in his room ‘just fell off the Sadly, we lost Donald on 9 May 2023 Pamela Louise Larritt (Oddie 1962)
wall’ – not mentioning that it had been after a long and brave struggle with a 12 August 1943 – 10 May 2023
tested for a hammock slung across brain stem tumour, throughout which
to the window frame. It was at JCH he kept his sense of humour and Janet Rosemary Clark (Armstrong 1953)
that Donald met and later married enjoyment of friends and family. His 12 July 1934 – 16 September 2023
Paula Bun (1970) with whom he had ashes were taken to Myogaksa Temple
his eldest daughter, Chloe. Chloe in Seoul, which is Jiyoung’s Buddhist Prof Katerina (Katy) Clark (1959)
married Dan Borg and they had James family temple where he receives 20 June 1941 – 1 February 2024
and Rose who gave Donald much prayers daily for his soul’s passage
pleasure. to the Pure Land Paradise (Western Helen Allnutt (Holmes 1960)
Paradise). 14 April 1942 – February 2024
After a year of practical experience
in England, Donald decided that Diana van de Geer (White 1970) Meredith Fraser Creightmore (1955)
architecture, at the early phase of (sister) 10 April 1936 – 23 February 2024
a career, was not for him. An avid
foodie, Donald, together with Paula, Judith Graham Gregory (Leask 1947)
set up a catering business in South 17 December 1929 – 27 February 2024
Yarra which grew and specialised as
a wholesale pie manufacturing firm
called Mum’s Pies.

Donald later married Mona Chung and
welcomed his second daughter, Holly.
He was thrilled to be well enough
to attend Holly’s wedding to Ranil
Illesinghe in December 2022.

44 LUCE Number 22 2023