Charlotte Forsyth Whitt

Charlotte was born on February 6, 1937 in Indianapolis to William Harris Forsyth and Ellen McFadden Forsyth. After graduating from Broad Ripple High School, Charlotte studied at Butler University, where she majored in elementary education and was a member and president of Pi Beta Phi sorority. She taught at Spring Mill Elementary School before marrying David Whitt in December 1961 and moving to Northfield, Illinois—the first of many moves for Charlotte.

The move to Illinois was followed by moves to Malvern, PA (where her son Bill was born), Indianapolis (where her son Tom was born), Denver, Little Rock (where she taught at the Anthony School and Pulaski Academy and volunteered at the CARTI Cancer Center), San Antonio, Massachusetts (Wellesley and Duxbury), California (Los Angeles and Malibu), Boston, Dallas, and after her divorce in 1997, back to Indianapolis.

Charlotte's chief passions were her family and travel. She was exceptionally close to her nieces Beverly Gerst and Brenda Osborne, who lost their mother when they were relatively young. She loved spending time with her grandchildren Julian, Jonas, Oliver, and Phoebe, and for the past five years she never missed her weekly FaceTime call with her nieces and grandnieces. After her divorce, Charlotte traveled extensively with her long-time friend Marie Kingdon—she visited all seven continents, 65 countries and 49 states.

Charlotte had an incredible talent for organization—her family often joked that she missed her calling as head of logistics for the U.S. Army. She scheduled her days in 15-minute increments and followed her schedule with military precision. Her organization skills made her extraordinarily productive, and more than anything, she loved using these skills to help her friends and family get organized when they were moving house. Charlotte was an excellent seamstress, and she adored making household items—drapes, window treatments, bed ruffles, etc.—for friends and family to help them set up their house or apartment.

During her 14-year teaching career, Charlotte was beloved by her students. She had high expectations of all her students, and she inspired them to achieve their best. She had a great sense of fun, and knew how to strike the right balance between play and work to get the most out of those in her charge. Later in life, Charlotte was deeply involved with the Second Presbyterian Church, where she was a member since returning to Indianapolis in 1997. She especially enjoyed helping organize and manage the annual Church bazaar.

Charlotte was sassy, spirited, and unfiltered — with a vocabulary that could rival any sailor’s. She spoke her mind, never held back, and made every conversation unforgettable. Whether you agreed with her or not, you always knew exactly where she stood, and that kind of honesty was her gift. Charlotte was also an outstanding card player and won many hands of bridge and gin rummy. In her later years, the card table was her stage and every win was a little reminder that sharp minds never age.

Family and friends will gather for a memorial service on Friday, July 11 at 1:30 pm in the Chapel at Second Presbyterian Church, 7700 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, followed by a reception in the church's parlor. Prior to the memorial service, private family inurnment will take place in the Memorial Gardens at Second Presbyterian.

Charlotte is survived by her two sons, Bill (Kelli) Whitt and Tom Maxwell; her four grandchildren Julian and Jonas Whitt and Oliver and Phoebe Maxwell; two nieces Beverly (Bill) Gerst and Brenda (John) Osborne; three nephews Brad (Katie) Bartle and Drew (Kristin) and Matt (Molly) Allen; and 14 grandnieces and grandnephews and her beloved great grandnephew Barry Bell.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to Second Presbyterian Church (https://giving.ncsservices.org/App/Giving/ncs-1291) or Riley Hospital for Children (https://give.rileykids.org/give/507336/#!/donation/checkout?recurring=0).