When I sat down to collect my thoughts to write this, I couldn’t believe how speechless I felt. There are so many things to say about my Aunt, where do I even begin? It had been such a rough few months for all of us who were close to her, and I needed to take a step back from all of that in order to truly remember who she was. There were so many frustrating moments when we just pleaded with her to take it easy, and get some rest. But we all knew that she wasn’t going to just sit idly by and wait for death to show up. She was going to do as much as she possibly could, and eventually greet him at the door with a tray of apple bran muffins and a hand sewn quilt. Looking back on her life, it’s really no surprise that Auntie had such a difficult time being taken care of, since she devoted so much of hers to taking care of others.
Charlotte spent over a decade as a cook in the Weymouth High School cafeteria - always making sure the students were well fed, while simultaneously being certain to thoroughly mortify her daughter Jessica with her Dolly Parton costume on Halloween. Her culinary talents were not exclusive to work though, as we all looked forward to her lasagna on Thanksgiving – and I don’t think I will ever eat a pancake as good as hers.
Charlotte cared for both of her parents during their respective battles with cancer, and eventually left her job with the High School to become a CNA, where should could continue caring for the sick and elderly. She found no greater pleasure than in making a person smile who didn’t feel they had much to smile about – and she was really good at it. That sense of humor was so infectious, and is something I will always cherish about her.
When she wasn’t working, my aunt loved to be outside. Some of my favorite memories of her from childhood are fishing at Whitman’s Pond with my grandfather, and the many camping trips she took Jessica and me on. Auntie loved to be outside in her gardens. Aside from the beach, it was where she was happiest. Just puttering around in her overalls relocating the tomato plants every 3 hours.
Her duties as a CNA were cut short unfortunately, when she became ill and could no longer work. Her fighting spirit remained strong, though – and she battled with her illness for several years before finally receiving a kidney and liver transplant in 2006. She never recovered 100% from the transplant – but she took full advantage of the strength she had with various crafting and gardening projects, and eventually the creation of the infamous “Sex and the City” inspired diaper cakes for Jessica’s baby shower. Overcoming adversity was Auntie’s specialty. She never really had it easy, but nobody knew how to overcome and persevere quite like her. She taught us to never give up – that there was never any option but to face your challenges and keep on fighting.
In winter, when she couldn’t be outside, she kept herself busy with various craft projects. When I was a kid, nobody made a macaroni wreath quite like Charlotte. She loved to sew and do needlepoint – and made most of our Halloween costumes over the years. That creative spark will always stay with me.
My aunt will live fondly in the memories of everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her. For all of her tough talk, she was truly one of the most lovable people I will ever know. She cherished her family more than anything, and always made sure we knew she was looking out for us – even when it drove us crazy. She was always so proud of whatever we did – no matter how mundane it seemed to us.
But what I will remember most about my Auntie, even more than the sunlight filtering in through her windows on Sunday afternoons, is that she filled her home and the hearts of those everyone around her with love, good humor, and radiant warmth.
beautiful, Jenna. Auntie truly was a sweet, thoughtful, loving, fun lady. you're right, she does live on in everyone who knew her - which was definitely a pleasure.
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