1924
Charlotte
2009
Charlotte Jane Kuppinger Colhoun
November 5, 1924 — July 11, 2009
CHARLOTTE JANE WILLSIE KUPPINGER COLHOUN
Harlingen, TX:
Charlotte Colhoun, 84 years old, but much younger in spirit, died peacefully at home on Saturday, July 11. Her parents, Grace Armitage and Paul Willsie and her first husband, Dr. John C. Kuppinger, preceded her in death. How do you encapsulate a life like Charlotte's?
Born a precocious child on November 5, 1924 in Des Moines, Iowa, Charlotte lived with her parents and adoring grandfather, where she first saw her lifelong mantra of "do something for someone else" in action, as the family fed the “down and out “ during the Depression. After returning from a whirlwind year at USC, where she pledged Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and danced to the likes of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, she married the boy "next door," John Kuppinger. Two freezing medical internship cities and two baby girls later, the couple headed south to avoid ever having to live through a cold winter again. Their car ran out of gas in San Benito. It was her belief that her life was a series of being in the right place at the right time!
The Valley was a blank slate for Charlotte, and she filled her canvas with friends, medical auxiliary functions, ceramics classes through the management of The Pedestal of Junkins and proprietorship of The Lemon Tree. Her good fortune continued by finding the perfect husband for the second half of her life, Charles A. Colhoun, with whom she enjoyed 27 years of marriage. In her recent years, Charlotte filled her days sharing memorable, irreverent lunches with friends and family, helping women's causes such as Planned Parenthood and EMILY's List, rekindling her love of art and swinging from conservative to liberal in politics, and delighting in the visits of her great grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband, Charles, and their six children, Ann Phillips (John), Chuck Colhoun, Sally Johnson, Catherine Pickell, Carol Groos (Bubba), and Bruce Colhoun (Lee). Her grandchildren include Paige Flinn (John), Cuatro Groos (Alicia) Kelly Phillips, Carrie Phaneuf (Marshall), Katie Hale (Bobby), Caleb Groos (Katie DeVaul), Susan Shepard (Jason Cohen), Aaron Pickell (Lark), Margaret Bellows (Ezra), Jane Pickell, Andrew Colhoun, Hannah Groos and Barrett Colhoun. She is also survived by her eight great grandchildren, Mac, Carsten, Margot, Gwyneth, Estee, Ben, Maisy and Cannon.
Charlotte will always be remembered for her generosity, even when she signed "Anonymous." Thus, in lieu of food or flowers, PLEASE send donations to the liberal charity of your choice, or to Planned Parenthood of Cameron & Willacy Counties, 370 Old Port Isabel Road, Brownsville, TX 78521.
A gathering to celebrate the life of Charlotte Kuppinger Colhoun will be held at the Colhoun residence, 1716 Brazos Circle in Harlingen the evening of Wednesday, July 15 from six thirty to nine thirty. The family invites you to join them and to bring your memories of Charlotte.
"Go to all the weddings and the parties, but skip the funerals, even your own" Charlotte Kuppinger Colhoun
Harlingen, TX:
Charlotte Colhoun, 84 years old, but much younger in spirit, died peacefully at home on Saturday, July 11. Her parents, Grace Armitage and Paul Willsie and her first husband, Dr. John C. Kuppinger, preceded her in death. How do you encapsulate a life like Charlotte's?
Born a precocious child on November 5, 1924 in Des Moines, Iowa, Charlotte lived with her parents and adoring grandfather, where she first saw her lifelong mantra of "do something for someone else" in action, as the family fed the “down and out “ during the Depression. After returning from a whirlwind year at USC, where she pledged Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and danced to the likes of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, she married the boy "next door," John Kuppinger. Two freezing medical internship cities and two baby girls later, the couple headed south to avoid ever having to live through a cold winter again. Their car ran out of gas in San Benito. It was her belief that her life was a series of being in the right place at the right time!
The Valley was a blank slate for Charlotte, and she filled her canvas with friends, medical auxiliary functions, ceramics classes through the management of The Pedestal of Junkins and proprietorship of The Lemon Tree. Her good fortune continued by finding the perfect husband for the second half of her life, Charles A. Colhoun, with whom she enjoyed 27 years of marriage. In her recent years, Charlotte filled her days sharing memorable, irreverent lunches with friends and family, helping women's causes such as Planned Parenthood and EMILY's List, rekindling her love of art and swinging from conservative to liberal in politics, and delighting in the visits of her great grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband, Charles, and their six children, Ann Phillips (John), Chuck Colhoun, Sally Johnson, Catherine Pickell, Carol Groos (Bubba), and Bruce Colhoun (Lee). Her grandchildren include Paige Flinn (John), Cuatro Groos (Alicia) Kelly Phillips, Carrie Phaneuf (Marshall), Katie Hale (Bobby), Caleb Groos (Katie DeVaul), Susan Shepard (Jason Cohen), Aaron Pickell (Lark), Margaret Bellows (Ezra), Jane Pickell, Andrew Colhoun, Hannah Groos and Barrett Colhoun. She is also survived by her eight great grandchildren, Mac, Carsten, Margot, Gwyneth, Estee, Ben, Maisy and Cannon.
Charlotte will always be remembered for her generosity, even when she signed "Anonymous." Thus, in lieu of food or flowers, PLEASE send donations to the liberal charity of your choice, or to Planned Parenthood of Cameron & Willacy Counties, 370 Old Port Isabel Road, Brownsville, TX 78521.
A gathering to celebrate the life of Charlotte Kuppinger Colhoun will be held at the Colhoun residence, 1716 Brazos Circle in Harlingen the evening of Wednesday, July 15 from six thirty to nine thirty. The family invites you to join them and to bring your memories of Charlotte.
"Go to all the weddings and the parties, but skip the funerals, even your own" Charlotte Kuppinger Colhoun
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