Mary Beth Shinners-White (Slaughter), 48, died Dec. 4, 2002, of a heart attack on Whidbey Island.

She was a native of Alton, Ill., but spent most of her life in St Louis. As a social worker, she touched many lives at Children’s Hospital in St. Louis and in private practice. This extended into her passion as a social activist and community leader. She also taught a death-and-dying class at Washington University, St. Louis.

For the past five years, she lived on Whidbey Island with her husband, Bennett White, and stepchildren Aubrey and Morgana and her beloved dog, Mickey. She developed an active and extensive counseling practice based on the principles of Jungian psychology. She will be missed by her many clients.

Mrs. Shinners-White was also keenly interested in poetry and music, was a voracious reader and a political activist.

She is survived by her sons, Justin and Patrick Shinners; her mother, Therese Schultz, and stepfather, Paul Schultz; three brothers and their wives, Mark and Pat, Chris and Theresa, and Mike and Cindy; a sister, Ann; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

All are saddened by her leaving, but are richer with the gift of her love.

Memorials may be made to Enso House, 6339 Wahl Road, Freeland, WA 98249.