Charlotte K. Haznedar

Charlotte was born in 1932 in Glenwood, West Virginia to Walter Keister (1901-1972) and Nora Belle Keister (Cornwell) (1907-1942). She was the youngest of three children with two older brothers, Walter (Gene, US Navy Retired) (1927- 2007) and David (Bud) (1930-2009). Charlotte graduated in three years with a BA degree with honors in Education and Music from Marshall College (now Marshall University) in Huntington, West Virginia. She was an accomplished piano player. Charlotte enjoyed being a member of the marching band where she played the trumpet.

Upon graduating from Marshall College, Charlotte relocated to Silver Spring, Maryland and started teaching elementary school. It was here that Charlotte met the love of her life, a Turkish graduate student in International Business, Ibrahim Haznedar (Iby). They quickly fell in love and married in Washington, D.C.

They moved to Turkey in 1954 for Iby to complete his Turkish compulsory military service. After training, Iby became an intelligence officer in the Turkish Army and Liaison to the United States where he remained for the duration of his military service. During this period, Charlotte became a United States Foreign Service teacher and taught the children of American military personnel stationed in Turkey.

In 1954, Charlotte and Iby had the first of their three children. Yasemin was born 1954 in Ankara, Turkey. In 1955 Errol was also born in Ankara, Turkey. In June 1957, Charlotte and Iby relocated to New York City and lived in Manhattan. During this time, Charlotte and Iby’s third child was born, their daughter Zeynep in 1960 in Queens, N.Y. Charlotte was an active member of the Manhattan Church of Christ. During this time Iby became a U.S. citizen.

Charlotte and Iby bought a delightful Cape Cod home in Ridgewood, N.J. and moved the family in 1967. Charlotte decided to return to teaching and commuted daily by bus to the New York City public schools. Later she became certified as a substitute teacher in the Ridgewood Board of Education and taught for almost 20 years at all the Ridgewood elementary schools. Their home was always open to all of their children’s friends.

While living in New York and New Jersey, Iby spent over 40 years working in NYC Times Square. When Charlotte wasn’t teaching, she enjoyed attending Broadway plays and shows at Radio City Music Hall. Charlotte continued as a member of the Manhattan Church of Christ and frequently took her children to NYC museums after church. Charlotte also became a member of the Fair Lawn Church of Christ in N.J.

In 1994, Charlotte and Iby welcomed their only grandchild, Tyler. They both enjoyed visiting him and watching him grow. Charlotte loved reading him books, playing games, and singing songs to him.

Sadly in 2007, Charlotte’s Iby passed away. Charlotte remained in her home in Ridgewood and travelled to Florida for the winter months to visit her daughters Yasemin and Zeynep. In 2017, Charlotte relocated to Sarasota, FL and lived with Yasemin. She frequently spent weekends with Zeynep, playing Monopoly which she usually won! Over the years, Charlotte became an original “Foodie” before it became a fad! She was a fantastic cook, learning to cook Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine, but she still held on to her country roots and loved biscuits and gravy.

Charlotte passed away August 8, 2023 in Sarasota, Florida. Charlotte is survived by her daughter Yasemin Chain and John (husband) of Sarasota, FL; her son Errol Haznedar and Carolann (wife) of Chadds Ford, PA and Tyler (grandson) of Hatfield, PA; her daughter Zeynep Mitchell of Apollo Beach, FL. Charlotte’s son-in-law John Mitchell, Zeynep’s husband, passed away in 2016.

Charlotte will be laid to rest with Iby in Valleau Cemetery in Ridgewood, New Jersey in a private ceremony. Charlotte was the greatest mother any child could ever have. She was a gifted teacher and mentor to her children. Charlotte was known for her wonderful smile and laughter, her sense of humor, and her very strong faith. She was always there to help and listen and was forever supportive, even during the most challenging of times. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, and will be truly missed by her family and all that knew her.

There will be Celebration of Charlotte’s life at a future date.

Charlotte loved animals, in lieu of flowers please donate to your local animal shelter.

For online tributes, please visit www.rtsfunerals.com or www.wiegandbrothers.com