On January 21, 2024, Charlotte Hildebrandt of Vestal, NY died at home in her daughter’s house, surrounded by love, songs, tears, and laughter, just 6 days shy of her 82nd birthday. Charlotte is predeceased by her mother Margaret (Murdock) Hildebrandt, father Charles, brothers George and Charlie, sister Anna, and her dearest friends Sylvia Wagner and Mary Lewis.
Charlotte is survived by Mark Bull and Thelma Lasseter (son & daughter-in-law), Angelina Blasich (daughter), Meaghan Bull and Seraphina Blasich (granddaughters), Michael Hildebrandt (brother), Mary Keller (Hildebrandt – sister-in-law), Lisa and Joe Brown and their children (niece), George Bagely (nephew). She is also survived and celebrated by her dearest friends Jean Darling and her beloved “Friday 5” – Betty Lou, Barbara, Michaelin, Gail, Linda, and token man Rich.
Charlotte was a devoted member of Our Lady of Sorrows church for decades, with a brief interim at St. Ambrose. Charlotte truly loved being Catholic, going to Mass, and living in the intentional presence of God, and said she had always wanted to be a nun. She served the church in so many ways, including being an Altar Server, Eucharistic Minister, and singing in the church choir. On any given morning, Charlotte could be counted on to open the church, with freshly washed and ironed holy vestments and altar linens in hand. During mass she would recite each prayer and sing each hymn with her whole heart. As a Lector, Charlotte used her voice to clearly and reverently proclaim the word of God to the congregation. After mass, when you would find her washing out the communion chalice in the church Sacristy, you might even hear her voice arguing that women should be allowed in the priesthood.
Charlotte attended mass every day, either in person or online. She volunteered tirelessly, became a member of the Legion of Mary, served as Treasurer of the Nocturnal Adoration Society, and until two days before her death, said her rosary dutifully each day. In her last days, Charlotte appreciated receiving visits and communion from Monsignor Putano and Deacon Mike from Lourdes Hospice. The care she received from each person she encountered at the end of her life was an immense blessing to her and her family.
Charlotte was born in 1942. At age 9, her mother became ill, and she and her brothers were sent to their first orphanage. Charlotte spent her teenage years in foster homes on the tip of Long Island, eventually graduating from West Hampton Beach High School. She lived in every Borough, “except Staten Island and that one doesn’t even count,” but throughout her life, proudly referenced her Brooklyn-born roots at least weekly. As a lifelong baseball fanatic, she was devastated when the Dodgers ditched NY, so she shifted her loyalties to the Yankees and never turned back. In the 60s she would walk the few blocks to the stadium from her apartment in the South Bronx to take her son to $5 ball games. Charlotte attended her last Yankees game in 2021, sitting ground level, proudly wearing her Rivera jersey and cruising along slowly with her red “Cadillac” walker.
Charlotte moved upstate in 1974 and worked for Broome County for 27 years as Auditor and Senior Accountant. She loved spreadsheets, did everybody’s taxes, and knew exactly who owed who $2.32 when they split the check. Charlotte engaged actively with her unions as a steward, and served as treasurer until her retirement. Not a woman to sit still, she returned to work as a substitute Site Supervisor at Senior Centers across the county. Even after re-retiring at 80, Charlotte continued to volunteer regularly with her beloved crew at the Vestal Senior Center. The daily arrival of their thoughtful cards in her final days brought her profound joy.
Charlotte was strong willed and never afraid to speak her mind even if her words seemed harsh. She had an enormous heart, a sharp intellect, and a terrific sense of humor. Her friends call her authentic, devout, and “a real piece of work.” Charlotte loved raising a ruckus with her Friday Five, eating lunch with her friends at the Senior Center, and sharing delicious Sunday Brunches with her daughter and granddaughter. Charlotte said her favorite memories included singing at Loeb’s Home and going to see the Pope (both with her dear brother George), getting her house, the birth of her children, saying Gesundheit to Seraphina when she sneezed at birth, and later Seraphina’s Friday nights at Ama’s.
Charlotte was deeply proud of getting her Associate degree in her 30s, continuing on for her Bachelor’s, and finally receiving her Master’s in Social Science from Binghamton University at 60 years old. Throughout her life, Charlotte took in and loved so many strays (cat, dog, and human). She adored silence, the writings of Joan Chittister and Thomas Merton, and the music of Mozart, Paul Simon, and the Beatles. In addition to praying throughout the day, Charlotte loved playing computer games and watching Hallmark movies. She loved to sew, knit and crochet, and enjoyed walking and swimming regularly, until arthritis got in her way. Charlotte never let pain stop her from living an energetic life. Just a month before she passed, she was giving people rides, dropping off communion, and serving food to her Vestal seniors.
Charlotte wished to give thanks to all of the volunteers that created a beautiful, joyous home space for her to enjoy her last days. She enthusiastically expressed gratitude for each and every visit, card, meal, and prayer. She felt truly and deeply loved.
A Funeral Mass for Charlotte will be held Friday, January 26th at 11 am at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 801 Main Street, Vestal. Burial will be in Vestal Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday at Church from 10 am until Mass time at 11 am.
Charlotte was so grateful for the fresh flowers sent for her to enjoy during her last days. In lieu of flowers of sympathy, Charlotte would have loved a mass card to honor her memory, and requested that any donations be made directly to her family to offset the cost of her end-of-life care and funeral.