Born March 21, 1925 in Wichita, KS, she was the fifth daughter of Teresa C. Smith and Charles R. Huffington. Her four older sisters, Thelma, Edna, Frances and Charlotte and younger brother Robert preceded her in death. In addition to her Congregational family, she is survived by seventeen nieces and nephews.
She grew up on the family farm, first near Maize then later moving to Schulte where her early education was in St. Peter’s parish school in Schulte followed by high school at the Cathedral High School in Wichita. After graduation from high school she entered Mt. St. Mary’s Covent in September of 1944 and was perpetually professed in 1950. Sister Charlene prepared for her teaching career at Sacred Heart Jr. College in Wichita, Creighton University and Notre Dame. An educator, she taught in parish schools in the Dioceses of Wichita and Dodge City. In 1952, after volunteering as a missionary to Japan, she spent the first two years in Japan attending language school and the University of the Sacred Heart in Tokyo. Except for four years when she returned the U.S. to teach or enjoy some home visits, she spent over 50 years in Japan teaching children in Waifu and the St. Joseph Hospital for Handicapped in Kyoto. For a time her work also included being the Regional Superior of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Japan. In 2008 she returned from Japan and made her home at Mt. St. Mary’s Convent in Wichita. Not content with idleness, she busied herself with volunteer activities until her deteriorating health no longer permitted her to do so.
Homecoming will be Tuesday, May 8 at 3:00 p.m., followed by the wake service at 6:30 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, May 9 at 10:30 a.m. all at Mt. St. Mary’s Convent Resurrection Chapel, 3700 E. Lincoln, Wichita, KS 67218.
Memorial contributions in her name may be made to Dear Neighbor Ministries, Inc. or the Retirement Fund of the Sisters of St. Joseph, 3700 E. Lincoln, Wichita KS 67218
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