Friday, March 16, 2012
Dear Gary, Wesley and Shelley,
I only got to know Charlotte a few years ago, but discovered a wonderful, warm lady who was always cheerful and smiling. I first met her at her antique shop, where she sat in a corner and beamed at her customers as they looked over her items. I knew nothing about her and was not sure if she was the owner of the shop.
I began to notice her at the tag sales that I was going to and somewhere along the line, I struck up a conversation about our mutual love for tag sales and antiques. We became friends and I often ran into her at George's Wallingford antiques store. I always enjoyed her company so much.
Unfortunately, I never had enough time to see her as much as I would have liked. Like everyone else, my life became very busy. I had my mother-in-law living with me and later on, moved my mother up to Wallingford and got very busy with taking care of her. I did have Charlotte over with my mom a few times, but my mom had already lost a lot of her ability to be social.
I was so sorry to see Charlotte's problems develop, but her beautiful spirit lives on in many hearts. A testimony to the kind of woman she was occurred one night when my husband Jim and I took her to Bill Ulbrich's auction in Wallingford. Everyone was coming over to see her and talk with her. It was as if we had a celebrity with us. All were so happy to see her and she was indeed happy to see her friends. It was a lovely night. I am so glad that we were able to take her with us.
It was a privilege to know your mother. Whenever I was with her, the sun seemed to be shining, even if the weather was not fair. She loved her family and always was proud of her children and grandchild and husband (who I never met). She was a good woman and a gentle, kind soul who made the world a little warmer and brighter. I miss her.
Best wishes to all of you. I do not know your addresses and do not know Linda's last name so I could not send cards. I am sorry to be so late with this and I hope you still can access this site.
Sincerely,
Jill Walsh
