Charlotte M. Wenzel

Charlotte Marie (Johnson) Wenzel, 88, passed away on Friday, January 23, 2026. Born on April 25, 1937, in Butternuts, New York, she was the daughter of the late Fred P. Johnson and Verna Sliter Johnson.

Charlotte was a graduate of Norwich High School in Norwich, New York. In her young adult years, she was passionate about swimming and taught swim lessons at the Norwich Family YMCA and at the Kurt Beyer Pool. Swimming and swim safety have played an important part in her life and in the lives of her extended family. She dedicated her career to the telecommunications industry, working in multiple roles for the GTE Phone Company until her retirement. Upon her retirement, she partnered with her husband, Donald Wenzel, and together they launched a very successful custom craft business called Wenzel of West Hill, and they traveled together around the northeast for craft shows and fairs. A woman of strong faith, she was formerly a member of the First Baptist Church in Norwich and was a member of Celebration Presbyterian Church in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where she and Donald resided for over 10 years, until they moved back to Norwich in 2024.

She held so many individuals near and dear to her heart. Charlotte is survived by her wonderful and caring husband, Donald Wenzel, who was by her side as the ultimate caretaker for Charlotte over many years. Their love for each other was unsurpassed and is a great testimony to a strong and supportive marriage. Charlotte is also survived by her sister, Marjorie Johnson of Hendersonville NC; her son, Bryan Moore, and his wife, Tracy, of Lenoir, NC; her two granddaughters, Erin Schrijvers (Gregory) and Megan Smith (Jake), both residing in North Carolina with their families; and her beloved great-grandchildren, Lincoln and Alice. Charlotte was blessed with an extended family through marriage, including Gary & Kim Moore; Timothy & Shelly Moore and their families; Dan & Sandele Wenzel, Cindy & Cody Mikalunas, and David & Dawn Wenzel and their families. Charlotte leaves behind many extended family grandchildren, and great grandchildren, including Keith, Jenny & Ali; Todd, Chad and Kristie; Shane, Colt and Jerrad; Naoma, Alexandria, Dooger (Daniel), Skylar and Ashton; Zachary & Jordan, all of whom she loved dearly and held close to her heart. Many of these grandchildren have blessed her with countless great-grandchildren, and their individual heartbeats provided her with everlasting hugs, smiles, and the joys of her life.

Charlotte also leaves behind her nephew, Stephen Stark, and six nieces: Linda Bradford, Verna Johnson Broekhuizen, Elaine Rohinsky, Lauren Urian, Jaquilin Bowman, Jane Cook, and Carol Lawton.

Charlotte was known for loving her family and friends deeply. She will be fondly remembered by her special friends Linda Cazer, Phyllis Jackson, Barbara Harrington, Betty Echentile, Dorothy Wenzel, and many others whose lives she touched.

In addition to her parents, Charlotte was predeceased by her sisters, Doris, Norma Jean, and Anna; and her brothers, Donald and Ralph.

Calling hours for Charlotte will be held at R.J. Fahy Funeral Home in Norwich, NY, on Tuesday, February 10th, 2026, from 12:00 - 2:00 PM. A funeral service will be held at the same location at 2:00 PM and will be officiated by Pastor Robert Decker, of the First Baptist Church of South New Berlin. She will be laid to rest in the spring at Riverside Cemetery in South New Berlin.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, caring individuals could donate to the Norwich Family YMCA and support the Swimming Program.

https://www.norwichymca.org/donate-2/