Those who knew Mary Jo White describe her as great communicator and a respected Republican state senator who represented the sprawling 21st district that includes part of Butler County for 15 years.
White, of Franklin, Venango County, died Feb. 21 at the age of 83.
Sen. Scott Hutchinson, R-21st, of Oil City, Venango County, who succeeded White and continues representing the district, said he and White knew each other before either entered state government.
“She was a pillar of the community in every sense of the word. Everybody wanted her on their board of directors and task forces,” Hutchinson said.
Born in Chicago, Ill., White received a bachelor’s of arts degree from Quincy University in Illinois before moving to Pennsylvania and receiving her law degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1967.
She worked as a public defender in Venango County before she began working as an environmental lawyer for Quaker State Oil Company from 1975-76.
White emerged from a crowded field of candidates in the primary to win the 1996 election and went on to serve in the state Senate from 1997 until she retired in 2012.
“She was talented. She was smart. She could bring people together and be a voice of reason,” said Hutchinson, who represented the 64th district in the state House from 1992 to 2012 before he was elected to replace her in the Senate.
He said White had the ability to gain the respect of senators, including those who disagreed with her, and find middle ground all parties could agree on.
“She came to Harrisburg and brought her qualities and commitment and impeccable character and generosity to other people. Everybody trusted her in Harrisburg, even those who didn’t side with her politically,” Hutchinson said.
Among White’s committee appointments, she served as chairwoman of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee for 14 years.
She didn't seek office with the intention of serving on that committee, “but they recognized her expertise and begged her to do it,” Hutchinson said.
“Her fingerprints are in every environmental law from her time in the Senate,” he said.
But she was passionate about ensuring access to health care in rural communities, like Venango County, and education, he said.
“She wanted everybody to have access to quality education. She enjoyed visiting schools. She knew how important education was in people’s lives,” Hutchinson said.
The senator also described White as a renaissance woman. She was witty, had great sense of humor, was a good storyteller and could carry on a conversation about almost any subject — from NCAA basketball to Broadway and opera — he said.
“She was a great conversationalist and that’s how you build trust with people,” Hutchinson said.
White loved children, especially her own and her grandchildren. He said his children loved her.
Rod McElravy, who worked for White and now works for Hutchinson as legislative assistant for Butler County, said called her a respected senator and a wonderful person.
“She was a wonderful lady. Great boss. Extremely intelligent. She was a great orator. I think she would have made a great governor personally,” McElravy said. “Very well respected in the Senate. She will be sorely missed.”
Former Butler County Controller Jack McMillin considered White a “wonderful lady” as well, even though he narrowly lost to her the 1996 primary.
“She defeated me in the Republican primary for state Senate by a few hundred votes,” McMillin said. “She blew me out of the water in Venango and Clarion (counties).”
He said he was one of six candidates from Butler County in the primary.
White succeeded the late Sen. Tim Shaffer and served her constituents well, McMillin said.
“Sen. White had a memorable career in the state Senate,” he said, adding they remained friends and saw each other at many events over the years.
“We stayed friends. The race was cordial. We were all Republicans,” McMillin said.
White is survived by her husband of 58 years, H. William White Jr., who was a judge in Venango County for 32 years, as well as their children, grandchildren and brothers and sisters.
