Charlotte Y. Baerst

Charlotte Y. Baerst

September 02, 1926 - June 29, 2010

Charlotte Y. Baerst

September 02, 1926 - June 29, 2010

Obituary

Charlotte Annette Young Baerst of Laguna Woods, CA died early Tuesday morning, June 29th, 2010 at the Saddleback Memorial Hospital. She was 83 years young when her spirit decided to reside in the afterlife.

Charlotte was born on September 2nd, 1926 in Aquebogue, NY to Harold E. and Elizabeth F. Young. Charlotte grew up on a potato farm but Charlotte dreamed of a more cosmopolitan lifestyle beyond the farm. She graduated with the Riverhead High School Class of 1944 and excelled in French language studies. After graduation, her hard working parents sent her to the all-women’s Russell Sage College in Troy, NY where she continued her studies of the French language and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1948. With her language skills in hand, she landed a job working for the newly formed United Nations in the very cosmopolitan New York City.

After a couple of years in New York City, she decided that she needed to expand her horizons and accepted a civil service job with the U.S. Army and moved to Salzburg, Austria. Charlotte was now in her cosmopolitan element with this new job and she took advantage by traveling all over Europe to meet new people, learn new languages, and view the sights. After a couple of years in Austria she was transferred to Turkey where she continued her love of travel and eventually met her future husband, Louis R. Baerst, a fellow New Yorker who was a defense contractor working in Turkey.

Charlotte and Lou were married in December 1956 in Turkey and then shortly afterwards made their way back to New York City where Charlotte continued working and Lou went to graduate school. In 1958, Charlotte and Lou moved west to settle in Anaheim, California where they bought a house and raised two boys, Steve and Andy. This started the more domestic phase of Charlotte’s life as she was busy raising children and was very involved in their school activities to include many years as a devoted ‘band mom’ during their high school years. Charlotte also found time to work as an administrator for several aerospace companies, obtain her teaching credentials, and work towards a Master’s degree. She always welcomed all the neighborhood kids in her home and was affectionately called ‘Mrs. Tough’ for all the nonsense she put up with over the years. After the kids left the house, Charlotte continued her lifelong learning quest and became a stenographer and worked as a court reporter for several years.

In 1992, Charlotte lost her husband of 36 years but she continued to press on and enjoy her passions of learning and traveling. In addition to her French studies, she was fluent in Spanish, German, and also learned some Turkish, Vietnamese and Farsi along the way. She eagerly traveled all over the United States to visit family and friends and she also ventured to many areas around the world including China, Russia, Europe, Mexico, and Southeast Asia. After living in the same house for over 40 years, she reluctantly moved to the ‘retirement’ community of Leisure World now Laguna Woods where she became even more active than ever. She took up golf when she was 60 and even had a hole-in-one, played bridge, exercised daily, visited museums and attended cultural events at a dizzying pace. She also continued her volunteer work by regularly supporting a local charity, Tony’s Treehouse, as an interpreter and helper. She continued with her passion for learning into her 80s by attending local college classes. Even in her final days when in the hospital and very ill, she had her notepad at the ready to take copious notes on what the doctors were saying and to keep them honest.

Charlotte is survived by her two sons, Steve and Andy, brother Avery Young and sister Eleanor Daniels; granddaughters Christina, Kyra, Kacey, and Erin, and great-granddaughter Kadence.

A memorial service will be held on July 31st, 2010 at 11:00 am at the Old Steeple Church on Route 25 in Aquebogue, NY. Flowers for the service should be sent to the Old Steeple Church or a donation can be made in Charlotte’s name to Tony’s Treehouse, 668 North Coast Highway #112, Laguna Beach, CA 92651. Questions should be directed to Andrew Baerst at 949-632-0252.

Charlotte taught us all that we should never stop learning, challenging ourselves, or embarking on new adventures.

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8 responses to Charlotte Y. Baerst

  1. Peggy Baerst says:

    Charlotte was a vivacious, exuberant, and thoughtful mother-in-law. She was a wonderful mother to my husband, Andy, and a generous and involved grandmother to my girls, Kyra and Kacey. Her love of the arts and her active mind and body left me awestruck. She is a role-model of independence and life-long learning to all of us women that follow her. Her presence in our day-to-day lives is missed.

    Rest in peace until we meet again, Grandma Char!

  2. Charlotte amazed us with her energy and love of life. We were sorry to hear she decided she had enough of life here on earth. We will miss her very much. Our sympathy goes to Andy and Steve and their families

  3. Losing Charlotte is a huge loss in my life. Practically growing up with the Baerst family, she was like a mom to me. I had the good fortune to share the past 4 decades of my life with her being a strong influence and constant support. I’ve created a CHARLOTTE BAERST MEMORIAL page under my website http://www.TonysTreehouse.org with many of her photos and stories of her dedication. Her involvement with Tonys Treehouse was unwavering. Charlotte you were a faithful friend and teacher of many life lessons. Thank you for all the time, energy and love you gave to me, Danny and Tony. You will always be loved and never forgotten. Steve and Andy, my heart is with you always and I wish you peace.

  4. She will be missed by all.

  5. Charlotte and I go back to 1947, when we worked in NYC. We had lots of great times together. We renewed our friendship when Charlotte visited her son here in Florida and I visted with her in Calfornia. Charlotte was very proud of her boys . She kept me going to museums, etc. when we were together. I was disappointed that she could not come to Florida these last years.

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