Longtime Bayside resident dies at age 100
Charlotte Greene, residing
at 58-27 212th St., her home for
more than 70 years, died from
aspiration pneumonia at the age
of 100 on Sunday morning, Dec.
1, at Long Island Jewish Hospital
in New Hyde Park.
Charlotte was born in New
York City on March 14, 1919, to
Isadore and Minna Gendel.
She shared her home and
childhood with her parents,
identical twin sister Selma, and
older sister Laura.
Charlotte’s father contracted
encephalitis lethargic, aka
sleeping sickness during the flu
pandemic of 1919 and suffered
chronic symptoms for the rest of
his life, so Minna supported her
three daughters and disabled
husband by developing a business
as a seamstress and interior
decorator.
Minna impressed upon her
daughters the value of education
and Charlotte excelled as a
student.
Along with her sister Selma,
she was a relentless and tireless
organizer and was involved in
drama, debate and journalism.
Charlotte was accepted to
Hunter College and graduated
Phi Beta Kappa in 1945. In later
years, she earned two Masters
degrees, one in English and one
in Library Science.
Upon graduation, Charlotte
accompanied her mother and
sisters to Kiamesha Lake, N.Y.,
where Minna worked summers.
It was there that Charlotte
met Henry (Hank) Greene, a
handsome, athletic and accomplished
musician and singer.
They fell in love almost immediately
got married in 1942 and
lived together until May 2000,
when Hank died.
Charlotte had two sons,
Gregory in 1946 and Ricky in
1949. She raised them until they
were old enough for her to take a
position as a Junior High School
Librarian where she continued
until her retirement.
Charlotte was no ordinary
librarian. She instituted many
wonderful activities for the
students including the highly
praised Declamation club and
was a leader among her peers.
Charlotte created the Sunshine
Committee which existed to
recognize important occasions
in her colleagues’ lives and celebrate
them.
After Hank — who by day
was chairman of a high school
health education department —
started his business as a band
leader and square dance caller,
Charlotte was indispensable in
working with him as a dance
partner, and enthusiastic assistant
to draw people off their
chairs and onto the dance floor.
The phrases “loved by all,”
“one of a kind,” and “special”
have become overused and cliched,
but they truly do capture
the spirit and impact of Charlotte.
People took to Charlotte
almost immediately.
They sensed her warmth
and accepting nature, were
charmed by her personality and
moved by her generosity.
Charlotte was a talker and
people who knew her might
smile and say that is an understatement.
But unlike most
people who love talking, she
was a kind, loving and receptive
listener.
Another cliche that “she
made everyone feel special” also
applied to her. She was loved of
course by her family but also by
her students who continued to
stay in contact with her for decades,
her colleagues and almost
anyone she randomly struck up
a conversation with.
Funeral services were
scheduled at Schwartz Brothers
-Jeffer Memorial Chapel at 114-
03 Queens Blvd, Forest Hills, on
Dec. 5 at 10 a.m.
Friends and family will then
gather at Pinelawn Memorial
Park, 2030 Wellwood Avenue
Farmingdale.
Following the burial service,
friends and family are
invited to toast and reminisce
about Charlotte at 58-27 212th
St. and sit shiva for Charlotte
at the same address on Friday,
Dec. 6 from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.,
Saturday, Dec. 7 from 3 to 8 p.m.
and Sunday, Dec. 8, from 12 to
4 p.m.
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TIMESLEDGER,26 DEC. 6-12, 2019 QNS.COM
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