Elizabeth Joann White
Dec 8, 1930 -
Sep 15, 2026
Elizabeth Joann White, known to all as "Joann," passed away peacefully on Sept. 15, 2026, in Anchorage, Alaska, at the age of 95.
Joann was born on Dec. 8, 1930, in Cumberland, Md., to Ernest Joseph White Sr. and Hazel Dayton White. She was the youngest of 11 children.
Joann's deep faith and devotion to God were the foundation of her life. In 1949, at the age of 18, Joann entered the Poor Clare Monastery in Bordentown, N.J., where she devoted herself to a cloistered life of prayer and service. Known for her joyful spirit, humility and dedicated service to the church, she worked tirelessly at a variety of duties including baking communion wafers, laundering habits and caring for chickens.
Discerning God's call with her bishop, Joann left the monastery in 1963. She began working for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington, D.C., where she met Monsignor Francis T. Hurley. Thus began a 52-year professional and spiritual relationship. In 1971, Joann accepted the position as secretary to Bishop Frances T. Hurley in Juneau, Alaska. Five years later, when he was named the Archbishop of Anchorage, he invited her to continue working as his assistant.
Joann's work with the Archdiocese of Anchorage was her true vocation. Joann was known for her dedication, organizational skills, good humor and her warm, welcoming nature. Joann fondly recalled a highlight of her life's work was the time she spent working with the Anchorage community to prepare for the historic visit of Pope Saint John Paul II in 1981. In light of her dedicated service, the Pope awarded her the highest papal medal for lay people, the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice in 1988.
Joann served as an active member of then Holy Family Cathedral parish for 25 years. Following the death of Archbishop Hurley in 2016, Joann retired. She continued to serve the church as an active member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Cathedral in Anchorage. Attending daily Mass was always a priority for Joann, and she was often accompanied by friends who shared her commitment to the faith.
Joann's deep abiding friendships were a great source of joy throughout her life. She remained close with the Poor Clare Sisters, many colleagues from Washington, D.C., and numerous friends she made throughout her years in Juneau and Anchorage. Joann maintained her long-distance relationships through annual trips to Majorca and many other memorable travels.
Joann will be remembered for her commitment to the Church. She was a woman of kindness, humility and gracious elegance. She touched the lives of all who knew her.
Joann was preceded in death by her parents and siblings. She is survived by many nieces, nephews and their families.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Clare House, an emergency shelter in Anchorage for mothers with children. There is a Donate button on the Catholic Social Services website, www.cssalaska.org. Clare House is found under Select a Fund on the Donate page.
Her funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m., on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Anchorage. A rosary will be prayed at 10:30 a.m. Archbishop Andrew Bellisario, C.M., will preside.
