Charlotte Marie (Rowe) Boettiger
07/09/1924 – 11/15/2011
It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden loss of our dear Mother, Charlotte Marie Boettiger, age 87. She died on November 15, 2011, at Evergreen Hospice Care Center in Kirkland WA. The Boettiger/Davila family express their deepest appreciation to the nurses and staff at Evergreen Hospice in their care of Charlotte.
Born in Seattle WA to Clifford and Marion Rowe, Charlotte graduated from Garfield High School, worked for Boeing (Rosie the Riveter) and Langendorf Bakeries (PBX Operator) where she met and married Donald Lee Boettiger in February 1946. They lived in Washington and Oregon (Maple Valley, Tacoma, Seattle and Portland). Together they raised four children and settled in Bellevue, Washington in 1962.
Charlotte was a fun person that enjoyed her many adventures with family and friends. Not only did she take care of the family and fill the house with freshly cut flowers, we remember how busy she always was: a cub scout den mother, sewing dolls for the Ryther Bazaar, on a ladies bowling team and square dancing with Dad. Exercising in front of the TV with Jack LaLane. She loved music and loved to dance. She had spunk, no driver’s license but as teenagers we were able to convince her to drive us anyway. We camped, we had picnics and BBQ’s and our friends were always welcome to join in (a few even lived with Mom and Dad).
Mom was a widow at 59 and reinvented herself with a ten year career with the Bellevue School District. She was the Childcare Coordinator for Woodridge Elementary and later joined a pilot program for infant care at Spiritridge Elementary, taking care of 4 infants at age 70! Children loved Charlotte and so did their parents. We have photo after photo from her many vacation adventures: California, Hawaii, Mexico, Europe, and the Caribbean. Charlotte was sweet and had great spirit, if the children could not take her somewhere (she did not drive) she found a way to go (walking, buses, or taxi). She signed up for community center trips on her own to attend the World’s Fair in Canada, tour lavender and tulip fields, and trips to the ocean.
Seattle Visit in 2010
An unfortunate accident in 1996, resulted in several bone replacements and breast cancer but she always “pulled myself up by my bootstraps”. Mother was “healthy as a horse”, took no medications but she was very frail and the last year was difficult.
Charlotte was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Boettiger in June 1983 and youngest son, Steven Boettiger in October 2010. She was tired and her heart just broke. She leaves behind her loving family; sons Donald (Jim) Boettiger, Richard Boettiger, daughter-in-law Eileen Boettiger, daughter Gail Davila, son-in-law Frederick Davila, granddaughters Charlotte Boettiger-Cooney, Jennifer Boettiger, Jessica Boettiger, great-granddaughter Fiona Cooney, great-grandson Avery Cooney, her sisters and brother, nieces and nephews and lifelong friends of all ages.
A celebration of Charlotte’s life will be held December 11, 2011 @2pm at Crossroads Community Center, 16000 NE 10th ST, Bellevue, Washington.
13 Responses to “Charlotte Marie (Rowe) Boettiger”
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Dear Charlotte’s family,
Gail’s been my dear friend for many years and I just want to let you all know that getting to know Charlotte was like a great big bonus to my friendship with Gail. Charlotte was fun, interesting to talk with, she truly sparkled (especially when she was being mischievous with Fred); but we could talk seriously too, and she was very wise as well. I enjoyed every minute, and every beer/wine we shared and I considered her my friend, too. I’m so sorry for your loss, I know you will miss her terribly and wanted you to know that I’ll miss her and will remember her, too. ~ Lorraine
My Aunt Charlotte was lots of fun and it is a huge loss to have her leave us. She will live on in my heart and I will remember her always, with a smile on my face. To my cousins – I am thinking of you at this difficult time.
Charlotte was a wonderful person and I enjoyed getting to know her. She adored her children and often spoke fondly of them. I will miss her beautiful smile and those fabulous eyes. We shared many laughs together when I cared for her and I will treasure those memories. May you rest in peace Charlotte.
What a beautiful tribute to Charlotte. I know she will be missed greatly by you all and I send my deepest sympathy for your loss. I know there is a process to grief but I pray that the road is short and that the heaviness in your hearts is lifted soon.
Mrs. B (the name I always called Charlotte) was a dear and beloved friend. I will miss her dearly..as will so many others. I have been a part of the family for over 4o years and have so many fond memories of spending time with her and the rest of the Boettiger’s. I will forever miss her, and always hold her sweet, beautiful smile in my heart and keep the fun times I have had with her in my memory forever. I am so sorry for everyones loss.. My thoughts are with you all
Charlotte was a lovely lady – genuine, funny and so charming. I’m so glad I had a chance to know her if only for a short time. I hope her friends and family find comfort in the many loving memories she leaves – they will be with you always.
Gail….sorry for your loss. God bless….
A beautiful tribute to a beautiful person…inside and out. Your family has been through so much this past year, I wish you peace and comfort as you deal with this heartbreak. Remember that just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly! I will always think of Charlotte as the most exquisite bright blue butterfly. My sincerest condolences, Lois
I am so sorry to hear this news! I worked with Charlotte at the Spiritridge Infant Program and she was a joy to work with! I will remember Charlotte for her kind and gentle spirit!
I have been doing Charlotte’s hair for many, many years…we became good friends and someone I loved seeing each week. We even did lunches, and other outings over the years. I have never met a class act woman like her, she was fun, loving, caring and down right humorous!!! She always had a smile on her face and her heart was full of love and warmth as she talked. She and I had such good laughs and the stories we talked about…WOWZA! ;o) She was hip and kept up with the generations, but kept a classy aura about her. I have never met a woman like your mother and I was so blessed to have had her in my life. She is always on my mind and in my heart forever. I loved her so much and she was so special to me…
I am so sorry for your loss over the past couple of years, please know that you are ALL in my prayers. Thank you for sharing such an amazing woman with so many…she was a true gem, like no other!
Wow!!!! It sounds like Don’s mother, Mrs.Boettinger, was an amazing woman. I wish she had been in my life. Her photos are so classy. The wonderful things people talk about. Maybe Don got his kindness, sharing attitude and humor from his Mom. Take good care of yourselves.
Faith Ann Beatty
I’m sorry to hear Mrs. Boettiger has passed away. I have great memories of her as a neighbor and friend to my mother. She was very resilient after she lost her husband way too soon, raised four baby boomers and recovered being hit by a car. This is a nice tribute to Mrs Boettiger. She will always bring happy memories to all that have known her. Gail, Don and Richard have faith during this difficult time.
I met Mrs. Boettiger through my friendship with her son Don, whom I have known for 27 years. During those years, I had many opportunities to visit with her, go to lunch, and socialize. It broke my heart not to send her a Christmas card this year. She was very special and had the genuine honor of having her son Don recognized by the Department of The Army for heroism for saving a soldier’s life during an armed conflict in 1995. Not many mothers can make that claim. It is obvious she raised her family with great attributes and she is going to be deeply missed. Rest in peace Charlotte and may God bless the Boettiger family.