Lillian S. Charlet

On Wednesday, May 4th, 2011, Lillian (nee Strauss) Charlet, loving wife of the late Joseph Charlet; devoted sister of May Strauss; cherished aunt of Patricia Pekary and her husband Lee and Pamela Strauss; beloved great-aunt of Shannon Pekary and his wife April, Christopher Pekary and his wife Debbie, Diana Donaldson and her husband Mike, Steven Burkowske and his wife Dawn, Shayne Burkowske and Ashley Strauss; admiring great-great-aunt of Isaiah, Josiah, Ruben, Benjamin, Connor, Alaina and Abby Pekary, Mike, Haillie, Logan, Emily and Jillian Donaldson, Eric, Hannah, Abby and Olivia Burkowske.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday, May 12th, 2011 from 10:30AM until 11:00AM in Our Lady of the Angels Chapel, 709 Maiden Choice Lane, Charlestown Retirement Community, Catonsville, Maryland, where a Funeral Service will be held at 11:00AM in the Chapel. Interment will follow in Loudon Park Cemetery, Baltimore, Maryland. In lieu of flowers Memorial Donations may be made to: Charlestown Benevolent Care Fund, 711 Maiden Choice Lane, Catonsville, Maryland 21228.




I'm Pat Pekary. I grew up in Catonsville and taught school at Arbutus Elementary before marrying my husband who was a submarine officer at that time. I live in California now. Lillian was my father's sister and aunt to my sister, Pam, and me. Pam wanted to be here today but is having surgery in Florida. Lillian was also sister to my Aunt May who lives in Renaissance Gardens. Lillian and her husband, Joe Charlet, drove me to my wedding in the Naval Academy Chapel on Lillian's birthday many years ago. A few years later we lived with her while we settled into an apartment Lillian found for us when my husband's submarine was overhauled in the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. It meant a lot to me as a young wife getting used to Navy life. I admired her strength, independence, sophistication, ability -- and I was very grateful for her love and support.

Lillian didn't talk much about herself, but over the years she shared some stories demonstrating that family can pass on character traits through generations. Lillian's mother, Birthel Stotler, was raised in an Amish family. Her grandmother, Sydney Jane DeHaven, traveled to Illinois as a child in a covered wagon. Sydney Jane married Ashby Stotler and returned to Winchester, VA, where Birthel was raised and where Lillian loved visiting her grandparents' farm for a month each summer. Lillian's mother, Birthel, married Lewis Strauss, Lillian's father and my grandfather. They met at a dance at Braddock Heights near Frederick, Maryland. Lewis worked for the railroad and took the train from Baltimore to Frederick to see Birthel at the weekly dances. Lewis's parents, John and Katherine Strauss, came to the U.S. from Germany, built a successful grocery business and the first brick house in Morrell Park. They had 3 sons-- Lewis (Lillian's father), Albert, and William. They worked, saved and were able to give a house to each son as a wedding gift. Lillian's uncle William got his medical degree from Johns Hopkins, was a doctor in WWI who was awarded France's Cross de Guerre, and later served as a White House physician. I believe in many ways Lillian acquired her values of faith, hard work, sacrifice, saving, and nurturing from the experiences of her parents and grandparents as they built their lives and contributed to this country. Lillian didn't have children, so my sister and I were the lucky recipients of her attention. Lillian loaned me the first evening gown I wore one Halloween, and introduced me to the uncomfortable "merry widow" undergarment that instantly changed me from an awkward adolescent to someone I didn't recognize in the mirror. She appreciated nice things and took care of her things so they lasted a lifetime. Lillian went to high school in Baltimore, and worked as a supervisor at Fort Meade. She often told me not to expect everything at once, to work hard so I'd appreciate what I had, and she let me know when she was displeased with something I did. Lillian was there to catch me when I fell, and she passed her values on to me, my sister, and our families.

Lillian loved people and fun; had high expectations and strong opinions. She was adventurous and yet shy about herself. Lillian was a long-time member of St. Johns Lutheran Church in Linthicum. She was an active member of Eastern Star and traveled to Europe, Hawaii, and throughout the U.S. I remember as a young child watching slides of her trips to Florida, and looking forward to her annual Christmas parties. After her husband, Joe, passed away, Lillian's faith and strength helped her move on with her life.Throughout her life Lillian continued to travel on many walking tours of Europe. She enjoyed sewing, gardening, cooking, dancing, music and parties. She learned to oil paint, discovered she had real talent, and many of you have seen the beautiful paintings she created. I'm reminded of Lillian's extraordinary artistic talent each time I see my 16 year old granddaughter's paintings. My sister's daughter demonstrates Lillian's strength and initiative as a Stetson University junior on scholarship and workstudy. Lillian had 2 nieces; 2 great nieces, 4 great nephews, and 16 great-great nieces and nephews. Her great nephews include 2 ministers, a Boy Scout leader, a Christian counselor, and the founder of a Christian mission that serves over 800 underprivileged youth.

Lillian was very close to my Mom and Dad. Lillian's husband, Joe, was my Dad's friend long before Lillian and Joe were married. Lillian loved sharing crabs and beer with my parents, and she spent many happy times with them in Ocean City and their retirement home in Florida. Lillian was especially devoted to her sister, May. I want to thank all of you who were Lillian's friends, Toni Harrison, Chanel and Terrell for their attentive care of her over these difficult months. I also want to thank Dr. Bowlin, Amy Sarro, Lisa Roeder, Sandra Thomas, and all of the nurses in Renaissance Gardens who tenderly cared for my aunt. Above all, Lillian loved her sister, May, and the last thing she said to me was to promise to care for May. "Lillian, I have your back now, as you have had mine so many times over the years. May you rest in peace."


38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8: 38-39