Beatrice Fineberg Hofstadter White

WHITE--Beatrice Kevitt Hofstadter, died peacefully in Bridgewater, CT, on October 30. In keeping with her keen interest in both New England history and local weather, her passing occurred at the height of Hurricane Sandy. Born in Buffalo, NY, June 6, 1922, she graduated from Cornell University, and then worked in publishing in New York City. Her first husband, Mel Fineberg, died overseas in World War II. Her second husband, historian Richard Hofstadter, benefited greatly from her editorial skills, as did many of his fellow academics and writers, for whom she did freelance work. She earned an M.A. at Columbia University in American Studies, and briefly taught history at Brooklyn College before deciding to pursue a Ph.D. in American colonial history. After Richard Hofstadter's death in 1970, she met and married author Theodore H. White, who died in 1986. Our Bede was chagrinned to have reached the age of 90, but proud to have kept her sharp mind unblunted and her strong will undaunted all the way to the end. She was predeceased by her older sister, Shirley Kalish, and her younger brother, Saul Kevitt. She is survived by her daughter Sarah K. Hofstader (Dov Wisner), her adopted stepson Dan Hofstadter (Nancy), two step-children, Heyden White Rostow (Nick) and David White (Margaret), six step-grandchildren and Lambie, the last in a lifelong series of beloved canine companions. A celebration will follow in early 2013. Donations in her memory may be made to the New Milford Hospital or the Brearley School.

Published in The New York Times on Nov. 1, 201 - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/nytimes/obituary.aspx?pid=16076567...