Charlotte (Finkler) Goldenberg Penn

Charlotte (Finkler) Goldenberg Penn of Northborough, MA and formerly Providence, RI, passed away peacefully on March 16, 2023, at the age of 100. She will be lovingly remembered by many as a brilliant, wickedly funny, and opinionated woman. To know her was to love her, argue with her and love her again. She always had the right outfit for every occasion, from board meetings to the captain’s table on a cruise. She was dedicated to her family, her work, and her community— a force to be reckoned with, and a trailblazer in her time. Charlotte was born in Lawrence, MA on October 10, 1922, and as a child, moved to Rhode Island, a state she would come to love and cherish. At age 21 she married Harold Goldenberg, a handsome bomber pilot who was recognized for flying 60 missions in the Battle of Monte Cassino, Italy. The pair had three children: Larry, Cori, and Jonas. While raising her family, she was active in many groups and organizations: the Jewish Woman’s Veteran’s group, Temple Beth El Sisterhood and Couples Club, and the Jewish Community Center, oftentimes in leadership roles. Later in life she volunteered at the Red Cross, served as a docent at the Jewish Historical society, tutored ESL students, and more. When her husband became ill, Charlotte became one of the few women in her circle to work, eventually holding the role of Director for Teen Department at the Providence Jewish Community Center. During her decade there she mentored and counseled hundreds of teenagers, and the program flourished under her leadership. For decades, a number of those who participated in her teen programs have reached out to share what a significant impact she had on them during their teenage years and beyond. Later, Charlotte accepted a position as Administrative Assistant for the Executive Director of the local chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews (NCCJ). She was deeply committed to their mission fighting prejudice, bigotry, and hate. Amazingly, within a year her talent and dedication led her to become the organization’s Executive Director. From 1974-1994, Charlotte steered the local NCCJ office from obscurity to prominence, gaining national recognition for her work. Of special note was her signature “Heritage Panel,” which she developed in RI and then introduced to NCCJ chapters throughout the US. It was during this period she finally had the chance to finish her education, earning both a bachelor’s degree from Salve Regina College at age 56, and a master’s in Nonprofit Management from Lesley University at age 64. Upon retiring, Charlotte enjoyed traveling the world, exploring Israel, China, Italy, France, England, Thailand, Egypt, and other countries. When she offered to share her adventures with a local Providence elementary school, her visits became so popular the school created a “Charlotte Penn Travel” section in the school library. Creative throughout her life, Charlotte was an avid scrapbooker, designing volumes of memory books for family members all the way to the end of her life. Charlotte is survived by her son, Jonas Goldenberg (Karen Weiner); her grandsons Matthew Goldenberg, Aaron Maass (Ashley), Ethan Maass (Laura), and Fook Goldenberg; her granddaughters Rachel Goldenberg (Adam Silver) and Fahn Goldenberg; and four great grandchildren, well as many beloved nieces, nephews and other loved ones. Charlotte was predeceased by her husband Harold, her daughter Cori Maass and her son Larry Goldenberg. Services will be held Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 10:00am at Sugarman-Sinai Memorial Chapel, 458 Hope Street, Providence, RI, followed by burial at Lincoln Park Cemetery, 1469 Post Road, Warwick, RI. Guest are welcome to gather at funeral home starting at 9:15 am as the family will be receiving guest before the services begin at 10:00 am Attend virtually: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86437494965 Virtual Shiva will be observed: Tuesday, March 21, 2023 beginning at 5:00 pm, Attend Virtually: https://bostonu.zoom.us/j/96773556463?pwd=MVVCZU81dlp0clNWYWJOamFtblo2UT09 Telephone: 1 646 876 9923 and Wednesday, March 22, 2023 beginning at 6:30 pm, Attend Virtually: https://bostonu.zoom.us/j/96767832413?pwd=amd0Z3V5U05BN1UrQzZXbGVpM2pIZz09 Telephone: 1 646 876 9923 Donations may be made to: Rhode Island Jewish Historical Association, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, RI 02906 rijhs.org or Rhode Island for Community and Justice (formerly NCCJ), 271 N. Main Street, Providence RI, 02903 ricj.org *Note that funding is for Youth Programs