Obituary of Marsha Lynn White

Marsha Lynne White, born on November 20, 1969, in Flint, Michigan, passed away on April 17, 2026, in Bay City, Michigan, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. The world is a colder and darker place without her glorious smile. She lived her life with a loving heart and kind spirit. She carried herself with the sort of grace that made people feel seen, heard, and occasionally gently teased in a way that somehow made them appreciate it.

Marsha was the kind of person who could walk into a room and make it warmer without touching the thermostat. She had a presence that was equal parts comfort and comedy. Her family and friends knew her as someone who could turn an ordinary moment into a memorable one, often with a perfectly timed remark, a knowing smile, or a look that said she had already figured out the whole situation and found it mildly amusing. She was somehow both adventurous chaos incarnate and always prepared. She knew when to be patient and when to push. She could comfort, cajole, or condemn. She instinctively knew how to interact with others; she was an awesome mom, wife, and friend.

She is survived by her husband, Mark White II; her sons, Tyler Brevard and Zachary Brevard; her stepdaughter, Katrina White; and her grandson, Wade. She was preceded in death by her son, Joseph Brevard, whose memory remained forever close to her heart. She is survived by her parents, Donna and Kenneth Olsen, and Robert Bausick, and is preceded by her stepmother, Michelle Bausick. Her surviving siblings are Kimmie Bausick, Robert Bausick and wife Heather, Jennifer Johnson and husband Mike, Daniel Olsen and wife Jennifer, Robert Olsen and wife Sandy, Joan and husband Bill Harchick, and Michelle Olsen and Jerry. She was preceded in death by her brother, Ray Bausick. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews who were blessed to know her love, her humor, and her ability to keep family gatherings lively without ever needing a microphone. Marsha’s love for her family was deep, steady, and unmistakable, and she treasured the people who made up her world, both blood and found families alike.

All who met Marsha knew her as loving, kind, and thoughtful, three words that fit her as naturally as her own name. She gave her time, her attention, and her heart freely. She never let anyone cry alone. She loved with a sincerity that could not be faked. Her kindness was not loud or showy. It was the steady kind that showed up when it mattered, the kind that stayed, the kind that made people feel important. She had a way of caring for others that was both gentle and strong, and she left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to have known her.

Marsha had a special love for the beach: whether it be a little pond, Aruba, or her beloved Great Lakes. But, especially Lake Michigan, which held a place in her heart that was practically sacred. If its shoreline could talk, it would probably tell stories about her laughter, her peaceful moments, and her talent for enjoying the simple things in life without making a production out of it. She also enjoyed camping, traveling, and spending time with her family, which meant she was equally comfortable under the open sky, on the road, or surrounded by the people she loved most. Marsha knew how to make memories out of ordinary days, and she had a gift for reminding others that joy does not always arrive in grand gestures. Sometimes it shows up in a campfire, a family trip, or a day at the beach with the wind doing its best to ruin your hair. In her free time, she also gave back to others by serving at a local soup kitchen and writing cards to the elderly, small acts that reflected her generous and caring spirit.

Though her passing leaves a deep ache, Marsha’s life remains a beautiful reminder of what it means to love well, laugh often, and make the most of the time we are given. She faced her illness with strength and dignity, and even in difficult times, she continued to be herself, which meant she remained loving, kind, and thoughtful right to the end. Her family and friends will carry her memory with them in the stories they tell, the traditions they keep, and the quiet moments when they feel her presence in a familiar place, especially anywhere near the water.

Marsha Lynne White will be remembered not only for the life she lived but for the love she gave so generously. Her legacy lives on in her husband, her children, her family, and all those whose lives were brightened by her warmth and wit. She will be missed beyond measure, spoken of with love, and remembered with smiles, because that is what she would have wanted.

There will be a private memorial at a later date. In place of flowers, please donate to Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Genesee County, or The Toni & Trish House in Auburn, MI.  To sign the online guestbook, visit www.cremationsocietymidmi.com  Arrangements made with the Cremation Society of Mid Michigan.