BRIDPORT — Born April 24, 1937, in Peoria, Ill., to John and Mary Jennings (deceased), Frances Helen White, left us on Nov. 13, 2023, after a long battle with dementia. Fran was married to Mike White (deceased) in 1957.

She is survived by daughter Rene Saenger of Shoreham, Vt.; son Patrick White and wife, Lydia, of Fredericksburg, Texas; daughter Wendy Vorsterveld White of Vergennes, Vt.; son John White and wife, Lori, of Pittsford, Vt.; thirteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

After living in several states throughout her life, Fran spent the last 30-plus years in Vermont.

Fran was a housewife and focused on raising her four children. Fran then started her first health food store in Texas (mid 1980s) that transitioned into The Vites and Herbs Shoppe in Vermont. Mike, Wendy and John helped Fran with this business. Fran earned a Certified Nutritionist license and counseled hundreds of people in natural alternatives to health problems, in an era when little was known or excepted by the mainstream in Vermont.

Fran was an alternative natural health pioneer in Vermont who helped lay the groundwork for the vast health and nutrition culture we see today. Fran was also employed by Vermont State Housing for many years.

Many thanks to the staff of Gazebo Senior Living of South Burlington for the compassionate care provided for Fran.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Fran’s name to Project Independence of Middlebury, Vt and the UVM Hospice and Palliative Care Program.◊