Charlene Bowen Scholey

August 20, 1928 - July 4, 2026

“Charlene is a remarkable woman.” Those were the last words spoken in this life by our father, Walter Scholey; they were about his beloved wife of 72 years, Charlene Bowen Scholey.

Charlene Scholey was remarkable — in every aspect of her life. It was not her many accomplishments that made her remarkable, although those were significant. It was the way she lived each day of her almost 98 years, radiating serenity, goodwill, kindness, optimism, and a confident, quiet faith in the Lord and His goodness to us all.

Born August 20, 1928 in Valdosta, Georgia, Charlene was the youngest of three sisters. She was beloved by her parents Charles and Marie Bowen, and doted upon by her sisters Ruth Nell and Geraldine. Growing up in the deep south, Charlene blossomed into a true Georgia peach. Her charming demeanor and delightful southern accent never left her.

After graduating from Valdosta State College, Charlene became an English teacher at a school in Moultrie, Georgia. It was there in 1949 that she met the love of her life, Walter Scholey. Walter, from Detroit, Michigan, was traveling through Georgia on business and had been invited by his boss’s wife to attend the local PTA meeting. That didn’t sound too interesting to him, but what could he do? It suddenly got much more riveting when he saw and heard the lovely Charlene speaking from the front of her classroom. They were engaged after a three-month courtship and married on August 19, 1950, a love affair that lasted until Walter’s passing in 2022.

Early on while living in Cleveland, OH, they produced twins - a son, Leland and daughter, Ann, followed a few years later by daughter, Nancy. A corporate move took them to Westfield, NJ where Rosalind was born, followed by a move to Fort Worth, TX. A promotion led them to Los Altos in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1966, where Walter and Charlene remained until 2003 when they moved to Menifee to be closer to children and grandchildren.

Throughout the years of moving, Charlene supported Walter in his career and made a beautiful home for their family. Charlene and Walter played golf and bridge with the many new friends they made, friendships that lasted a lifetime. The house was decorated for every holiday, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas, Charlene’s two favorite holidays. The family gathered together for dinner every night at 6:00. The children, and later their spouses, felt loved and supported in their activities and careers. There was a family vacation every summer and sometimes skiing in the winter. Charlene always remembered each family member’s birthday and celebrated birthdays with joy and thoughtful gifts, even including the great grandchildren that arrived later in her life.

Coming from a small town in Georgia, Charlene wanted to see the world and when they became “empty-nesters,” after putting all four children through college, Charlene and Walter travelled extensively in Europe and went on over 35 cruises to every corner of the world, often with friends. On family reunion cruises later in life, their children saw that crowds literally parted to make room for Mom and Dad. They made a handsome couple whose joy in being together was apparent to all.

Charlene was an excellent golfer and served as a leader of the Women’s Golf group at Los Altos Country Club. Up until the week she passed, Charlene watched golf on television, avidly following the careers of her favorite players. Mom was a knowledgable antiques-hunter and her home was filled with beautiful old pine and maple furniture. While living in Los Altos, Charlene joined a quilting group, producing dozens of intricate and beautiful quilts, many of which she gave to friends. Mom served as a Deacon of the Los Altos Congregational church and sang in the choir for many years. She always had several good books and a few National Geographic magazines to read piled up next to her favorite chair.

One of Charlene’s favorite activities was to go shopping with her daughters, with HomeGoods and TJ Maxx being favorite spots. Charlene always, and we do mean always, looked pulled together with a color-coordinated outfit and matching jewelry. As far back as her children can remember and up until the week of her passing, she left her bedroom at 7:30 every morning impeccably dressed, make-up on, and ready to greet the day - and to prepare breakfast for Walter while he lived.

But all these activities and accomplishments aren’t the essence of what made Charlene remarkable. Charlene’s favorite quote, which was kept in her wallet and embedded in her heart, was “Life is short, and we have never too much time for gladdening the hearts of those who are traveling the journey with us. Be swift to love, make haste to be kind.” That is how Charlene lived. That is who she was.

Every day with every person she encountered, she spoke kind, uplifting words. She did not argue, gossip or get indignant. She turned away wrath with a gentle word. She lived with a gracious authority and inner strength, but was never judgmental, instead preferring to draw out the best in everyone. As a result everyone she met loved being in her company.

She did not complain, but accepted life’s changes with grace. In fact, the final four years of her life were among her most remarkable. After Walter’s passing, Charlene moved into an assisted living home. Shortly after, she was struck by a car backing out in a store parking lot and broke her hip. Her mobility and health began to deteriorate. There was plenty to complain or feel self-pity about. However, from age 94 to a month shy of her 98th birthday, Charlene continued to live each day with zest - making new friends with residents and staff and taking a genuine interest in their lives, playing Bingo with gusto, participating in all the many activities and field trips offered, relishing meals in the dining hall, making visits with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren special, and attending church every Sunday.

She “gladdened the hearts” of everyone she met, and each of us received the warmth of her love and caring, even in her final hours. She literally made the world a better place by living in it. That was the remarkable Charlene in all her roles — as wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, friend, aunt, church member, or just a person you might have the pleasure of encountering as she lived each day to the fullest.

Charlene is survived by her four children, Leland Scholey, Ann (Tim) Brophy, Nancy (Peter) McRae, Rosalind (Kevin) Murray; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren, and a niece, Patricia Goodman in Georgia. Her light will be with us always.