Olivia White

Olivia Marie White, 23, unexpectedly passed away, at her home, on the afternoon of January 24, 2023, from an accidental overdose related to her addiction to prescription pain medications she developed following a surgical procedure on her hip. She was born in Rock Rapids, Iowa on July 13, 1999, though she spent little time in this lovely small town. She moved to Des Moines before she was a year old and spent her life in the Des Moines area surrounded by family and friends engaged in pursuits that challenged her and gave her joy.

Olivia excelled at absolutely anything and everything she ever attempted.  She was a strong willed and determined individual, who not only knew what she wanted in life, but fought fiercely to obtain it for herself. She was a never-ending source of motivation and advocacy to those around her, always willing to take up a cause she believed needed a voice.

She spent many years enjoying all the activities related to competitive swimming, including competing with herself, but most of all she enjoyed travelling to meets and cheering on her teammates. Olivia began her swim career at the age of four, swam competitively every year thereafter, set records in High School and entered the University of Nebraska Omaha, where she was extremely proud to have earned a Division 1 scholarship.   Her time at UNO allowed her to have many new experiences and acquire new lifelong friends.  She transferred to the University of Iowa to focus on academics and to cheer on her Hawkeye football and basketball teams.  She enjoyed spending a year in Iowa City with her brother before ultimately earning her degree in December of 2021.  Sadly, she will not get the opportunity to pursue further academic endeavors in either law school or neuropsychology as she had planned.  She was in the process of making applications for these graduate programs at the time of her death.

Olivia was fearless and confident.  She dutifully loved all of her father’s favorite sports teams: all things Hawkeye, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Green Bay Packers. She always wanted to challenge anyone to playing pool in the basement on her Papa Lou’s pool table. Any meal she had required an ample amount of ranch dressing for dipping.  She also loved her family deeply and all the trips they got to take in her short life.

Those left to cherish her memory include her parents, Paul and Jane White, brother Connor White, sister Hannah White Eggers (Adrian Eggers), and grandmother, Loretta White.  She also leaves numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.  Her loss has been devastating beyond words.

Her death was predeceased by her grandparents, James and Alice McNeany, Louis White and cousin Dane DelVecchio.

Memorials maybe directed to Northside Otters Swim Club and the Young Woman's Resource Center. Online condolences maybe left at www.caldwellparrish.com