A psychological counsellor who fought a lifelong battle with cancer has died.

Leslie Ann White was 48.

She also ran a successful bookstore, the Literate Lizard, with her daughter Jordyn, 17, in the city of Sedona, Arizona.

Ms White, also an author, was the daughter of the late David White, a former Editor of The Royal Gazette.

She practised as a counsellor for decades after she earned a psychology degree from Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland.

Her work included addiction and substance abuse counselling in Maryland as well as in Arizona, at the Meadows Treatment Facility.

Ms White’s health troubles started in childhood after she contracted leukaemia.

Sarah White, her mother, said: “Leslie spent her childhood in Bermuda, made especially wonderful by her grandmother, Stella Hollis White, and her grandfather, Bill White.

“She went to BHS, where she made lifelong friendships. She then went to Bishop Strachan School in Toronto, where she fell in love with the city and its people.”

Ms White lived much of her life in the cities of Scottsdale and Sedona in Arizona, but was also founder and director of Transitions, a Bermudian psychological counselling firm established in 1991.

Her mother said running the bookstore in Sedona with her daughter had been “a lifelong dream”.

She added: “Starting from scratch, they created a wonderful bookstore and community gathering space.

“She also wrote a column and a tourism guidebook on what to do in Sedona, with her dearest companion Kimberly and her husband Arthur Piubeni.

“They shared many wonderful adventures together and truly were like sisters.”

Her mother said Ms White had planned to set up a Bermuda philanthropic association for children with cancer.

She added: “Leslie’s life, but not her spirit, was scarred by many illnesses.

“All those who knew her came away amazed by her courage and never-ending hope. She was an example to us all.

“Her fortitude, stamina, love of life and powerful spiritual beliefs touched all who knew her. She also really knew how to have a good time.”

Her mother added: “Special thanks and gratitude to our incredible friends who aided us at a very difficult time – most especially Cathy and Martin Innes and Jean Ann Hart. Leslie – I could not have got through this without them.

“Special thanks to all the Pals nurses and doctors, too many to mention, who were with us every step of the way.

“They are the compassionate angels who lifted us up and carried us through difficult times. We could not have managed without them – bless you.

“Jordyn, Leslie’s daughter, with her indomitable spirit and powerful love made Leslie’s last year bearable.

She added: “Thank you, Leslie, for making me a better person. You opened my heart and spirit to love, and gave me such joy.”

⋅ Leslie Ann White, a counsellor and author, was born on August 23, 1972. She died on March 14, 2021. Ms White was 48.