                                           Eulogy for Charlotte Warner Motyka
                                                  given May 9, 2015
                                 by her nephew, Robert Norton Warner

My Aunt Charlotte was a dear lady, full of fun and personality.  She loved to sing, and through the years harmonized in church with her sisters Olive, Allene, and Jean on the rare occasions when they were all together.

She and her beloved Alec loved gardening, and always raised a hearty crop of vegetables and fruits.  Like her mother, Mabel, she enjoyed growing flowers, and was quite knowledgeable about them.

Her nephew, Scott Warner, had this to say about Aunt Charlotte:
The first thing that comes to mind is how Aunt Charlotte would come to take us kids swimming or to other fun activities. It was probably to give my mother a break as well as establishing a bond with us kids which lasted until the day she died. She used to try and teach us whenever we were together. She would have us help with her rock collection or teach us about wildflowers.  Even up to just six years ago she and Alec would come to our place in Vermont and stay for the weekend and we would be riding around the countryside and she would be pointing out the Joe Pyeweed or Wild Columbine or Devil's Paintbrush. They loved Vermont, snowmobiling, travelling, and anything outdoors.

Cynthia Robinson Bove, Don Robinson's daughter, wrote this on Facebook:   When I think of this beautiful lady, her brilliant smile comes to mind.

Jessica Kibbe Harvell, who grew up here in Gilead, commented the following about Charlotte on Facebook:
I remember how her smile could brighten a room. She also was quick to make a dish or casserole when someone was sick.  I recently found an old dish of hers in my mom's kitchen supplies that she must have dropped off one time when my mom was ill.  Her name was written on the bottom. An extremely kind and generous woman.

Amy Warner, cousin Bill's wife, wrote this to us:  She was such a doll and always had the biggest smile, so warm and inviting.  Bill and I squared danced with them for awhile, and she had more pep in her step than we had.  She was involved in so many organizations, always busy...and just so darned sweet!!!! Charlotte truly loved and lived life!!!!

Linda Bromley Waitkus, who grew up here in Gilead, and still lives here today, sent us this message:  I remember Charlotte as bustling around before Sunday school getting things done in preparation for church. She was always very nice, positive, and organized.  She had a robust laugh and just loved people. I liked her very much. My heartfelt condolences to the entire family. I'm sure you'll miss her terribly.

Finally, her niece Bonnie Warner Ducharme, had this remembrance: 
Aunt Charlotte was a friend, a friend who never met someone she didn't like. She would talk to anyone, and by the time a brief visit was done, she was your friend....forever. She had a way of drawing the goodness out of people that they didn't even know was there. She was a teacher.  She taught my brothers, sisters, and myself so much about life, and to love ourselves and others. She taught us how to figure things out for ourselves, and when we could not, taught us to ask for help and not be ashamed to do that.  She taught us the value of good, hard, dirty, back-breaking work, whether it be cleaning the house, weeding a garden, raking leaves, or the annual clean-up of Grandma Warner's gardens and yard. We learned the value and satisfaction of a job well done. To enjoy bird watching and identifying flowers, whether it be wildflowers or the joy and anticipation of a well-tended flower garden. We learned to do things with our hands: baking, canning, sewing, crafting.....anything. The old saying "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without" was her lesson to us.  Charlotte taught us the value in redoing crafts and simple things, transforming them into wondrous, newer crafts to be proudly displayed or used. Charlotte was the Martha Stewart of her day.  In Vermont, we learned the value of loving nature:  the stream, dam building, beavers, fish, salamanders, baby birds, hummingbirds, bats, deer, and bear.  And long walks, solitude, peace, and most importantly, relaxation, and the importance of being with family.  I learned to walk in peace with Charlotte holding my hand all the way, and she was a person I could TRUST in life with secrets, discoveries, and experiences.  She was always ready with a hug and a smile, and a handkerchief when you needed one, only to briskly push you up to start all over again when you needed that, too! Aunt Charlotte lived her life with ZEST, energy, and a can-do attitude. A life well done, my precious aunt, well done.  I imagine she is up in heaven right now, pushing Alec to get up, to take a walk with her, to discover the wonders of heaven and beyond.

During her last year on this earth, Charlotte had a diminished capacity, but there were still glimmers of her personality that showed through at times.  Days before she was bedridden, I visited her, and she was in her living room, sitting on the couch.  I held her hand, and told her that I was Norton's boy.  She smiled at me and said, Then you are my nephew. 

Please pray with me.  Lord, we thank you for the life of Charlotte Warner Motyka.  She touched so many lives in her 94 years on this earth.  She loved the life you gave her, and she was a faithful servant of Jesus, exemplified by her loving actions as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and a good friend to perhaps thousands.  Thank you, Lord, for her life.  Amen.
                                                -30-

Charlotte was a wonderful person. I remember her lively engaging personality every year at family reunion. We may not have seen each other for a year, but she made it seem like a day. Always welcoming, always smiling and laughing. Sorry we couldn't make it today, but our thoughts go out to all the family. Sad to lose someone special.

I remember Charlotte (though I knew her as Mrs. Motyka).  She was a friend of my mother, Eva Sanford, who passed on 27Jan97.  Charlotte always had a kind word to say to my mother and a quick smile and friendly comment to me, a teenager when I last saw her.  Knowing that she has passed seems like a bright light just went out.  She was a blessing and I wish her family peace.

So many great memories of Aunt Charlotte.  Lots of laughs and fun times.  Heaven receives another beautiful Angel RIP ❤

John and Mary, I'm fortunate to have had Charlotte for my aunt. I learned much from her through the years. She will be deeply missed by me and everyone that was lucky enough to know her. At least she is home with Alec now. My condolences.

John, Merry and Phil-Hugs to you all. It's never easy to lose a parent, and grandparent, and you have lost both of your parents (and Grandparents) in the last year. We will all miss Charlotte. I know that she never met a stranger as she made everyone her friend. The only problem was she missed her devoted husband Alec. I know she is happy with Alec-holding hands, reminiscing, enjoying meals and smiles, and taking afternoon naps together in heaven. Now they can once again enjoy brisk walks together summer and winter, rock hunting, gardening, bird watching, crafting, and Alec can get back out in the woods and enjoy his hunting, tinkering and clock making. Now they can travel the world (and heaven) again. They were made for each other and needed to be together, at last, again they are. I'm going to miss Charlotte and Alec.

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

I'm very sorry to hear of your Mom's passing.  May your fond memories bring peace to you and your family.

John, That's a great picture of your mother.  She lived a long, fruitful life.  I will always have many fond memories of Aunt Charlotte, both at the Warner Family reunions and at the Gilead Church, where she was one of the most active members.  God Bless.

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Charlotte W. Motyka

6 août 1920 – 18 avril 2015

Glastonbury Funeral Home

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