Nonie H.D. White

Nonie Hartnett Dillman White of Ithaca, passed away peacefully at her home on Taughannock Boulevard on Wednesday, July 7, 2021.

Born in Rochester, NY in 1939, she attended the Harley School in Rochester, Pittsford Central School, Oak Grove School in Vassalboro, Maine, DePauw University and graduated from Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana where she did her graduate study.

Nonie taught high school English in Indianapolis, Indiana, horseback riding in Philadelphia, PA and silver jewelry for Ithaca’s Learning Web. Owner and founder of The Turkey’s Nest, a gift and decorator shop in Elmira and Ithaca, and real estate broker for Connie Lewis Better Homes and Gardens.  Nonie also concentrated on her jewelry design and creation for over two decades. Her designs and creations were featured in the Court of Honor of the Upper New York States Craft Fair and in the Museum of Warwick, RI.  Her flat art was exhibited in galleries in several states, as well as more locally in Schweinwurth Gallery and the Arnot Art Museum. Nonie’s freelance articles were published in national magazines.  She spent her “second life” writing and illustrating her two published children’s books.  Nonie served on the Boards of the Big Flats Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Alpha House and the Wider Community Board of Tompkins Community Hospital. Nonie and her husband divided their time between their homes on Block Island, RI and on the lake in Ithaca. The also spent a portion of each year traveling in their motor home.

Nonie was preceded in death by her husband, Donald R. White in 2018.  She is survived by her son, Sean Paul Dillman of Rush, NY; her daughter, Tara Sanderson of Arizona; her step son, Larry White of Trumansburg; her brother, Sean Cullinan Hartnett of Block Island and Peitrasanta, Italy; as well as by four grandchildren, various nieces and nephews and their offspring.  Burial of Don and Nonie’s ashes will be held at the family grave on Block Island. No flowers please, kindly consider a donation in her memory to; Tompkins County SPCA, Hospicare Services of Ithaca or the Block Island Conservancy. 

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