Charlotte Ryder

Charlotte Ann Ryder was born in Brooklyn, New York on May 5, 1941. Throughout her entire life, everyone always commented on her great big beautiful eyes. People often said her features reminded them of the “The Big Eyes” art of the 60’s by artist Margaret Keane, which hung on almost every middle class American’s home at that time, including Charlotte and Bob’s (Charlotte’s husband).

Charlotte was the daughter of Adolf and Elizabeth Bitz. Her father worked for a butcher and his boss owned a farm. Charlotte and her siblings, Beverly and Randolph would often spend time at the farm during the summers. Her brother Randolph also would sometimes work at the farm.

Maybe that’s where Charlotte developed her love of animals, as she loved to play with the animals in the farm. She always used to say her dream was to build a sanctuary for rescue animals. It’s interesting how one of her nieces, Denise Bitz, is fulfilling on that promise today in Asheville, North Carolina as the founder of Brother Wolf Animal Rescue.

One of Charlotte’s early jobs as an 18 year old was working at the phone company as a switch board operator in Manhattan. One night after work, she and a friend went to a restaurant and she happened to catch the eye of a young man named Bob. Well, they got to talking a little. Later, when boarding the train to go home to Brooklyn, Charlotte noticed that the young man with the James Dean looks and clothes was on the same train as her. He eventually started talking to her again and they made a date to see each other the next day. The rest, as they say, is history.

At the time, Bob was working on Wall Street in the Stock Exchange as a clerk, but after they got married, he got a job cleaning airplanes. They had two daughters, Rhonda and Lisa. Bob studied hard to pass the test to become an airplane mechanic. He was with Delta airlines for 30 years before he retired. Charlotte was a homemaker taking care of the girls.

She was a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother. She loved showering her girls and her grandchildren with presents. Her daughters remember Christmas morning with so many presents under the tree – they would have to take a break in between opening them.

Charlotte was generous to her children and grandchildren and they were her whole life. She lived for family holidays when they would all be together.

Daughter Lisa is a talented photographer specializing in family photos in Palm Bay, FL and Rhonda has her own online business teaching video marketing to entrepreneurs all over the country.

Before Charlotte and Bob moved to Florida in 1990, they lived in Woodhaven, Queens where Rhonda and Lisa grew up.

Charlotte is survived by her husband, Robert Ryder and..

Daughter, Lisa Griemsman and her husband, Joe Griemsman

Daughter of Lisa and Joe: Shea Griemsman, 20 all residing in Palm Bay, FL;

Daughter, Rhonda Ryder and her husband Steven Crick, residing in Longwood, FL

Son and daughter of Rhonda and stepchildren of Steve:

Austin Ryder, 23, Colorado Springs

Amanda Ryder, 19, Gainesville, FL

We love you Mom. Thank you for all the love and laughs, and most of all, thank you for always being there for us and showing us the importance of family.

There will be a visitation time for family and friends at Fountainhead Funeral Home in Palm Bay, Florida beginning at 1:00PM followed by a Celebration of Charlotte’s Life at 3:00PM on Tuesday February 2, 2016.