Veronica "Pookie" White

Veronica “Pookie” White, 63, passed away peacefully at the home of her sister on Thursday, June 1, 2017, surrounded by family.

Daughter of Rose Marie Vincent and Homer White, Pookie was raised in Lake Charles but spent most of her adult life in New Orleans, the city that she loved. Known for her generous and accepting nature, she will be long remembered by her warm embrace and ever present smile.

Veronica attended Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic School and went on to St. Louis High School where she graduated in 1972. After high school, she spent a year in Germany where she attended university studying Environmental Science, then went on to continue her studies at McNeese State University.

Veronica began her career in Washington, D. C., working for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and then worked for Senator John Breaux. After D. C., she returned to Lake Charles where she worked for the family business, H. White Construction. While back in Lake Charles, she and her dear friend Geralyn Simon Brown started their own business that they aptly named Brown and White.

Seeking a change, in 1982, Pookie moved to New Orleans, which would become her true home. Upon moving, she took mixology classes and began working as a bartender at the Milan Lounge; this was the base from which many of her most long-lasting friendships would grow, and a place all of her friends and family would come to love and return to regularly.

Years later, ready for another change, she moved into a marketing and administrative role with a well-known New Orleans architecture firm, Sizeler and Associates, where she would continue to work for over 20 years.

Pookie’s survivors include siblings Patricia “Trish” White, Rose “Rosie” Tower and husband Wendell “Dub” Tower, Molly Jackson and husband Joe Jackson, Nanette White, and Cora Caldwell; brother-in-law Nicola “Nick” Vartuli; sister-in-law Vivia Cormier White; 17 nieces and nephews; 32 great nieces and nephews; and numerous friends whom she loved unconditionally.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Rose Marie Vincent and Homer White; a sister, Marie Lorene “Butch” Vartuli; two brothers, John H. “Johnny” White and James Madison “Jimmy” White; and brother-in-law Randy Caldwell.

Pookie will be remembered as a kind and hospitable soul who cared deeply for many, and who always knew how to have and share a good time.

Visitation will be held at Johnson Funeral Home Chapel on Sunday, June 4, 2017, from 4:00 – 9:00 pm, with a rosary at 6:00 pm, followed by a memorial service. Visitation will be continued on Monday from 9:00 am until 12:30 pm, followed by funeral service at 1:00 pm at Christ the King Catholic Church.

Remembrances may be made by donations to the Tipitina’s Foundation which supports the preservation of New Orleans’ music community and the state’s musical culture by providing instruments to LA schools, 6401 Stars and Stripes Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70126, the Autism Society of Southwest Louisiana, P.O. Box 1805, Lake Charles, LA, 70602, or McNeese State University Autism Program, 4205 Ryan Street, Box 91895, Lake Charles, LA, 70609-1895.