Bernadette "Bee" Vitiritto White

Bernadette “Bee” Vitiritto White, 50, passed away unexpectedly at home on Thursday, April 30, 2026.

Bee was born and raised in Beaverdale and attended Holy Trinity and Roosevelt High School. She was one of five sisters and was known to all for her sweet nature, infectious laugh, and her generosity towards everyone she met. Bee loved rockhounding, long bike rides, and most of all spending time with her family, particularly her four grandchildren, whom Bee loved deeply. She treasured every moment with them and loved to play zany games, dress-up, and had a gift for making up songs and dances that would keep them laughing for hours.

Bee was known to light up any room she walked into and could always be counted on for her witty sense of humor. She had a lovely singing voice, and she enjoyed beauty in all its forms, whether it was a gorgeous sunset, a work of art, or the sparkle in a grandchild’s eyes. Bee took comfort in her Catholic faith and tried to live the Gospel. She very much placed her trust in the Mercy of God and tried to help those less fortunate than herself. She will be greatly missed by the countless people she touched during her short time on this Earth.

Bee was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Jim and Cheryl Vitiritto, and both her maternal and paternal grandparents. Left to treasure her memory are her son, Nicholas (Rachel) and her four grandchildren, Taytum, Avonlea, Penny and Phoebe Bernadette; her four sisters, Margaret (Al), Elizabeth, Catherine (Chris) and Jennifer (Chris); her Uncle BJ (Janice) and Aunt Joyce; her nieces and nephews, Sam, Aiden, Freeman, Cheryl, Isaac, Joel and Anna; her former spouse, AJ White and his family; her cat, Dallas and her dog, Gracie; and innumerable cousins and friends.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family for the education of her grandchildren or to the Iowa chapter of NAMI. We ask all those who knew and loved Bee to honor her with an act of kindness by imparting a compassionate word to someone who is suffering, helping to feed the hungry, forgiving a wrong done to them, or offering a prayer for those struggling to find hope.

Visitation will be held Sunday, May 10, 2026 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, IA with a Chaplet of Divine Mercy to be recited at 4:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, May 11 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 15 Indianola Road in Des Moines. Bernadette will be laid to rest near her parents at Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines.

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