Charlotte Steinberg Gottesman

A lifelong New Orleanian, Charlotte lived in the same house near Audubon Park since she was six years old. “Memaw,” as she was later nicknamed by her grandchildren, was an enthusiastic participant in life: boating as a young girl with her parents, playing golf and tennis, swimming in Perdido Key, scuba diving (at age 65), parasailing (at 70), and snowshoeing (at 75). Eventually, her direct participation gave way to being a smiling spectator - sitting on the patio with a great-grandchild on her lap as she listened to the laughter of children playing in her yard.

The constant throughout Charlotte’s life was her love for her family. What began with her husband Freddie (of blessed memory) and their four children, ultimately grew to a family of forty-seven, who brought her overwhelming joy, pride, and happiness. Charlotte was also fiercely loyal to all her friends, many of whom became like family. Everyone was always welcome at her home, most recently for a family reunion, complete with a celebratory Second Line.

Charlotte was preceded in death by her beloved husband Freddie Gottesman and her brother Julian Steinberg; and is survived by her sister Jackie Hochberg; her four children and their spouses: Linda Baum (Neil), Sandy Gottesman (Lisa), Marcia Rafkin (Bill), and Morris Gottesman (Laura); 12 grandchildren (Alisa, Lauren, Craig, Grant, Blake, Cary, Farrell, Andrew, Daniel, Fred, Wesley, and Garrett) and their spouses; and 17 great-grandchildren.

Charlotte’s family wishes to thank her devoted niece Carol Merlin, dear friends Brent and Michele Ramirez, Nuria Nunez and Stacey Bailey for their unwavering love and loyalty to Charlotte, as well as Veneise Avant, Erica Richards, and Edmarine Baker who so lovingly cared for Charlotte in her final years.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that remembrances be made to the Audubon Institute, Newman School, Touro Infirmary, or a charity of your choice. Charlotte was laid to rest in a private family service on Friday, November 18, 2022.