Charlotte Hennessey Obituary

Charlotte M. Hennessey, 94, died peacefully Friday, November 26 in California's Bay Area, her home since 2000. Charlotte was a 50-year resident of Glen Ellyn with her husband of 57 years, the late Gilbert Hennessey Jr., who passed away in 1997. She is survived by her sister, Miriam Graf of Winnetka, IL; sons, Gib Hennessey, of Wellesley, MA and John Hennessey, of Vancouver, WA; daughter, Jan Hennessey, of Berkeley, CA, as well as seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren: Lauren Hennessey Breit and children, Noah, Anna, and Nathan; Brian Hennessey and daughter, Maya; Kristin Espeland Gourlay and step-daughter, Mariana; Sara Espeland; Adrienne Diedrich Turner and son, Jack; Patrick Hennessey; and Molly Hennessey Diaz and daughter, Olivia. Born July 21, 1916, in Jacksonville, IL Charlotte grew up in Springfield, IL playing and teaching piano, earning Girl Scout badges, and becoming a stenographer. She married high school sweetheart Gil, and in 1952 the budding family settled in Glen Ellyn. Charlotte's love of music kept her singing in the First Congregational Church Choir for 50 years and playing piano as long as her fingers allowed. Her dedication to her community, the arts, and culture shone in her work for the Western suburbs' chapter of AFS, involvement in Wheaton Drama Club and the DuPage Symphony Orchestra, and Meals on Wheels. And her passion for nature ensured generations of well-fed birds flocked to her backyard. Charlotte was beloved by family and many friends for her curiosity, spirit, humor, and kindness, and she will be missed. Funeral services will take place at the First Congregational Church, 535 Forest Avenue, Glen Ellyn, at 10 o'clock Saturday, December 4th, immediately following a visitation, also at the church, at 9:30 AM. Interment will be in Forest Hill Cemetery in Glen Ellyn. Arrangements by Leonard Memorial Home, (630) 469-0032.