Obituary: Mary Jane "Brigid" White, née Ring, Of Redding

Information and Photo Courtesy Tara (White) Ochman

REDDING, CT — Mary Jane "Brigid" White, née Ring, a devoted wife, loving mother, and inspiring educator passed away at her home in Jensen Beach Florida, Nov. 24, 2023.

Born Oct. 5, 1946 in Newark, NJ, Mary Jane, "Brigid," as she was known to her friends, was the only daughter, and youngest of five children born to Aloysius and Viola Ring. She is predeceased by her four brothers: Aloysius Jr., Donald, Michael and George. Her brothers brought her great joy, and all five remained close throughout their lives.

Brigid worked her way through college, graduating from St. Elizabeth University, and later earning a Master’s degree from Fairfield University. For over 30 years, she worked as a dedicated public-school teacher, devoted to children, and committed to their experience; spending over 20 years with students and colleagues at John Read Middle School, Redding. Brigid's commitment to service reached beyond the classroom, whether as a volunteer for the Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen in Danbury, or upon her move to Jensen Beach, FL, where she became a Guardian Ad Litem for children in the Nineteenth Circuit.

The only thing that matched her love of service, was her love of her family. In 1969, she married Thomas F. White, and together, throughout their 54-year marriage, they raised and cared for their three children and seven grandchildren. No greater joy, or smile could be brought to Brigid's face than when spending time with family.

She is survived by her devoted husband Tom, her daughters Brigid Rogers, and her husband Brendan, and Tara Ochman, and her husband Charles, all of Darien; and her son Ryan White of San Francisco, CA. She leaves great memories with her grandchildren, Michala, Cristian, Brynn, Tiernan, Keely, Peyton and Finn; as well as her brother in laws, Kevin White and Austin White, and sister in laws, Dorothy Ring, Marlene Ring, Mary Ring, Paula Connolly, Susan White and Patricia Donaldson, and more than 20 nieces and nephews whom she loved as her own.

A funeral mass will be offered at St. Thomas More Church, 374 Middlesex Road Darien, on Wednesday, Dec. 20 at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you support local food drives in your community this season in the spirit of family and community, which Mary Jane held so dear.