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Charlotte Elizabeth Normington, 88, of Palm Harbor, Florida, passed on Saturday, January 31, 2015. I was blessed to have lived with the one person that I admired the most. Her character, her humor, her faith, and what she did with her life. I found it an inspiration. At a time, when she was a young girl, instead of filling a hope chest, she was working on filling the strongest sea chest she could find. She was introduced to travel by an aunt. Her first major trip was to Cuba before it was closed. Then off to Honduras, and Guatemala.
Her response to an invitation to her 50th class reunion at Mount Mary College in Milwaukee, Wis.: “Teaching and traveling became the focus of my life! After graduation from Mount Mary, I worked in Beloit and then Milwaukee for about nine years. Then I returned to school, earning my teaching credentials from the University of Wisconsin. I taught English in Hawaii, Wisconsin, and Illinois. Earning a Master’s degree during summer sessions at the “U” in Madison. After twenty-three years at Rockford’s Auburn Senior High, I took early retirement and moved to Florida.
Travels have involved 27 countries so far. They include China, Egypt, Kenya, Spain, Japan, and Russia plus frequent returns to England. London is a favorite city- usually included as an R & R spot after a long holiday”
This is what happens when you are directly related to Captain Cook on his brother’s side. Char was named after a great-grandmother named Charlotte Elisabeth Cook. I think she got channeled. I could go on and on about my sister, but to sum it up she left me a poem with her final instructions, I think to cushion the blow.
I’m Free
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free
I’m following the path God has laid you see.
I took His hand when I heard His call
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Task left undone must stay that way
I found the peace at the close of day.
If my parting has left a void
Then fill it with remembered joys
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss
Oh yes, these things I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow.
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life’s been full, I savored much,
Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief-
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your hearts, and peace to thee-
God wanted me now; He set me free.
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