Charlotte Harriet Hellman

January 2, 1929 – April 22, 2025

Charlotte Harriet (Aleshnick) Hellman died peacefully at her home on April 22, 2025 with her sons at her side. She persevered for over a decade through several medical procedures and ailments, before eventually passing “on her own terms”. Up until the very end, Charlotte maintained her, love of family and friends, appreciation and compassion for others, and held an extraordinary connection with her faith and passion for a Jewish way of life. Throughout her life, she had an industrious attitude for accomplishment in her work and hobbies, to be the best she can be, and a deep-rooted willpower to maintain as much independence as possible to care for herself.

Charlotte’s life was centered around her love, loyalty and life with her family and close friends, especially Alvin, her husband of 68 years who she shared a wonderfully loving marriage with. She enjoyed many pursuits including her work, hobbies and interests, including raising her children, grandchildren, and a large select group of people (related and unrelated) whom she truly considered family, immersing herself into everyone’s life!

Born in the Bronx, NY, Charlotte was raised with a traditional Orthodox Jewish upbringing by her parents, Freida and Samuel Aleshnick, along with her older brother and sister, Jack and Pearl. She was born during the Great Depression, experienced some very harsh realities about life in her very early years, but with very dedicated, hardworking and religious parents, learned to live every day within her means to the fullest, making the best out of each waking moment with gratitude for what she had in her life.

Much of Charlotte’s early childhood was spent learning; from her mother where her passion for all things relating to Jewish culture (“Yidishkeit”) and cooking; from her brother Jack’s educational pursuits; from her sister Pearl, how to bond quality friendships and just have a little fun. The family moved to Newark, New Jersey in the 1930’s where Charlotte spent her older childhood and young adult years. She graduated from Weequahic High School, achieved her associates degree, and enjoyed working in a business setting. Charlotte met “Al” Hellman shortly following his return from Europe where he served in the Army Air Corps and as a POW in World War II. They married in 1951 and Charlotte shifted her focus to raising her children, Marty and David, and transitioning from apartment living to a three-family home on Leslie Street, Newark, shared with her parents and sister Pearl’s family. Charlotte and Al moved to Verona, New Jersey in 1960, where they resided for almost 50 years. During those years, Charlotte raised her family with an emphasis on Judaic culture and religion, and sharing her life with a diverse group of friends as well as her family. As the children grew older, she returned to pursue work, which led to a career in the catering industry. She began working at Richfield Regency Caterers in Verona, where she ascended to back-office manager, and was recognized by many within the industry. During her years at Richfield Regency, she recruited many to work with her, including her children, friends of children, and other family members, - and for many, it was their first job. While residing in Verona, Charlotte enjoyed an active role in the religious environment at the Jewish Community Center of Verona, spending summers at Hanover Swim Club, and later at the Verona Pool where she and Al and her closest friend Iris were well known “fixtures” all summer long! Age never deterred her. She learned how to drive in her late 30’s, attempted snow skiing in her 50’s, and played tennis with Al in her 60’s and early 70’s.

Following their’ retirements, Charlotte and Al moved to Cedar Crest in Pompton Plains, NJ, a Retirement Community where they maintained existing, and established many new friendships. Charlotte always opined that the move to Cedar Crest was perfectly timed for their continued efforts to maintain as much of socially and physically active lives as possible, and of course religious as well, and were inspired by the entire community of so many like-aged residents. It was only the last few years of each of their lives that their respective quality of life suffered. Al pre-deceased Charlotte in February 2019, and from then on a big piece of her heart was empty. They were truly a couple for the ages, an exemplary sample of the Greatest Generation.

Charlottes truest legacy has been the outpouring of compassion, care and kindness from family and friends, from all walks of life. Notably, relatives, close friends and associates from work, neighbors, and her “adoptive” religious and spiritual friends and confidants, Rabbi and his wife Sheera Seplowitz.

Within Charlotte’s circle of life, she is survived by her dear sons Marty and his wife Mavi, and his brother David; Charlotte’s precious grandchildren, Ben and his brother Sam, Ali and her brother Mike.

She is also survived by many family members and dear friends, each of whom has been special to Charlotte in their unique way.

Her exceptional caregivers, Baia and Maia, have been vital to Charlotte in so many ways.

Everyone in her life inspired Charlotte with an incentive to live and maintain her best quality of life through the recent challenging years. God bless them all!

Funeral services are scheduled for Friday, April 25th, 10:00 a.m. at the Cedar Crest Interfaith Chapel located within the Cedar Crest Retirement Community at One Cedar Crest Drive, Pompton Plains, New Jersey 07444. All guests please arrive 30 minutes prior to the scheduled service time.

Following the service, graveside prayers and interment (Kevurah) will be held at Mount Lebanon Cemetery, located at 189 Gill Lane in Iselin, New Jersey (08830).

The Hellman family will be receiving guests for Shiva on Sunday, April 27th from 1 p.m. - 8 p.m with prayers at 4 p.m.

To commemorate the life of Charlotte Hellman, the Hellman Family suggests donations be made to the following organizations:

* Jewish Council of Cedar Crest, c/o Susan Solomon, 310 Greenleaf Ct., Pompton Plains, NJ 07444

* The Cedar Crest Scholarship Fund, 1 Cedar Crest Drive, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444. ATTN: Philanthropy