Charlotte Stokes
Charlotte Pidgeon Stokes of Southampton died on Thursday, September 1, 2011. She was 89.
Born on August 16, 1922, in Southampton to Charlotte Stege Pidgeon and Ashley E. Pidgeon of Remsenburg, “Charley” as she was known, was an extensive world traveler. Her family recalls that she repeatedly said she never experienced a beach anywhere in the world comparable to the beautiful beaches in Southampton Town, especially in Westhampton Beach, where she spent her childhood summers.
Ms. Stokes attended The Packer Collegiate Institute and St. Margaret School, and was a graduate of Finch College, where she thrived on the international studies and developed a deep appreciation for the arts.
In 1945, she married Donald Stokes in New York City. They spent 20 years traveling extensively abroad while Mr. Stokes worked for the British consulate in San Francisco. They had two children, Anne and Michael. They were married for 41 years before Mr. Stokes died.
All who knew her enjoyed her wonderful sense of humor and conversation, which aided her entertainment responsibilities for visits by foreign dignitaries, while her husband arranged media coverage for visiting notables, including British royalty, to Northern California.
Ms. Stokes realized the richest gift you can have is family and spent much of her adult life loving and serving their needs.
She is survived by her sister Margaret “Peggy” Pidgeon Shealy of Connecticut; three nieces, one nephew, and her daughter-in-law, Diana Stokes of Connecticut. In addition to her husband, Donald Stokes, and her sister Mary Pidgeon Franklin, she was predeceased by her daughter, Anne, and son, Michael.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ASPCA at www.aspca.org.
on Feb 14, 2012