Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home

Condolence: I knew Char when she and George were at Brookvale school in the mid-sixties. I was a rather scrubby 8 year old so I didn't know her well, but she was always patient and kind to me, and sympathetic when the shrew I caught died. She understood that I wanted it as a pet, not as a science experiment.
I also remember so clearly that when she had been climbing a tree and met a porcupine, she sat smiling and calm with her elbow full of porcupine quills while waiting for her ride to the hospital. I always wished I had her fairy grace, she was beautiful to me.

Condolence: Dear Erik & Jessica; your mom's remarkable kindness, patience, & generosity as a teacher & friend remain in my heart. Charlotte's legacy & spirit continue to nurture the island & soothe our souls. Wishing you comfort 💙

Condolence: To Erik and Jess, so sorry -- just saw the notice in the Lawrence magazine and could hardly believe it. Charlotte's presence in the class of 1964 made the class far more interesting than it might have been, and there followed a parade as I recall of cousins, or was it just "Di"? It's been awhile, more than 20 years in fact, since we saw each other but my memory of Charlotte is an indelible one. What a presence she was and what a force she was on Vinalhaven! Thank you for the opportunity to leave a few words for a remarkable friend.

Condolence: I remember Charlotte from college: lovely, lively, wrapped in a green cape, and hanging out with the cool kids. I was a freshman, and so longed to be in that group. She was an artist, and mysterious, but turned out to be a cousin of a good friend of mine. Charlotte and I became friends too. Years later, when we moved to Vinalhaven, no one could have been more welcoming and generous. We had raucous dinners, great walks, and she offered space to me on the farm - as she did to so many others. I saw her regularly there and we often just yakked away for an hour or so. Her humor and generosity were boundless.

Vinalhaven has lost a great friend and a great citizen. Along with her gatherings at the farm, there is her incredible service to the community to be remembered: numerous town committees, the fish plant, pro bono tractor work - and on and on.

Charlotte, you did more fro many than I think you ever knew. We will all miss you daily

Condolence: The Lady of good will, grace and compassion is sorely missed. I hope there are many gardens and a tractor in heaven just for you, Charlotte.

Condolence: Charlotte was many things and to many people: first, her love of every aspect of her property and the sharing of it with others through their community gardens and community events galore starting each year with the Easter Egg Hunt. How many times did the island community gather there for fundraisers, food and music?! Lupines enveloped you there every May.

Growing things and taking care of the earth were huge for Charlotte and her husband George Putz who together promoted the "good earth." George was long gone from the scene but Charlotte was still there, caring for people and places on Vinalhaven—teaching by example.

Charlotte was absorbed with gathering information on the Roberts/Hermann property and forever thinking about its needs and possibilities. I think this was part of what kept her going. It made us marvel at her moving past personal limitations in the last years, if she could. Charlotte thought that way about other properties and this was noted and written up in the book, Reminiscences, put out by the Vinalhaven Historical Society

Apples trees were big in her life and again shared with others — in part, through her watercolors. She did beautiful watercolors. Last fall Charlotte had taken pictures which she sent on by e-mail of the "inside/outside tree" still yielding at the Weitz/Calderwood/David Smith orchard with a plan that she would paint it. Don't know if it happened or if partially completed on her easel.

Quilts. Charlotte loved quilts—new and old island quilts and was instrumental in having good tops tied into comforters. She was part of the documentation team on island quilts in the 1980s.

Urchin harvesting was another aspect of her broad interest in resources and there was a long period of working with island fishermen and getting their catch to market. I remember a Haven supper where a buyer for urchins sat with us, talking about getting the urchins overnight to Japan and Charlotte with her smile, eyes with a twinkle, her head to itsCALLE side, as she observed, "Yes, but that's nothing like shucking one dockside and savoring the texture and flavor there and then."

Then there was the Town Band and Charlotte part of its marching. And, her commitment to planning with a capital "P" on island land and coastal resources and this included not only many meetings but writing a draft for the island's Comprehensive Plan.

These are just a few of our family's memories and connections that would culminate some years with a late fall supper at The Haven shared with Charlotte and her neighbor and friend, Addison Ames.

Oh, to plant a kiss on her cheek — a firm and steady teacher of many things.

Condolence: A tribute for Charlotte,

Courageous
Harmonious
Altruistic
Radiant
Loyal
Observant
Talented
Treasured
Eternal