Charlotte ""Char"" Elizabeth Shackley

Charlotte Elizabeth Kling Shackley rejoined many of her beloved family members, friends, and partners in crime peacefully on June 22nd. Charlotte was born on 6:15 AM on June 26th, 1917 in Denver, Colorado to Elwin & Carrie Bell Nichols Kling. Charlotte (Char, Grandma Char, Carlotta, Mingalala, Lollie, etc.) was the third of five children, Billy (who died in infancy), Oscar, Russell, and Eleanor. The family was loving, very close, and enjoyed life in East Denver. Charlotte attended Mariah Mitchell Elementary, Cole Junior High School, and Manual High School. While in high school, Charlotte went to a dance at Annunciation High School where she met the love of her life, John Shackley. They were married in 1933 in St. Leo’s Church in Denver. Charlotte and John spent their 43 years together raising their four children, traveling, dancing, going to the mountains, and socializing with their large circle of friends (John passed away in 1976). Charlotte often described her own mother as a “born homemaker.” That quality was passed on to Charlotte as her life was devoted to her roles of wife, mother, and grandmother (to her ten grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren). She was indispensable to her five generation family. She attended every church activity, athletic event, and school function that her kids and grandkids were a part of. She was everyone’s favorite babysitter because she was so much fun and loved cooking for people. Hospitality was her middle name. You had better be ready to eat whenever you went to see her. Charlotte’s father, husband, son, grandson and cousin have been Denver firefighters. She loved the department and getting her firefighter calendar was the highlight of her new year. Charlotte was a sports lover who was a loyal Broncos and Rockies fan (although kept a candle burning for the Brooklyn Dodgers). Charlotte’s faith was very important to her. She chose to convert to Catholicism when she was ten years old. Her parents were supportive of her decision and later did the same. Charlotte had a special love and devotion for the Blessed Mother and felt guided by her through all the seasons of her 100-year life. As she aged, Charlotte only became even dearer to her family and friends. She considered herself just an ordinary woman, but she lived her ordinary life in an extraordinarily loving way. We will miss her more than we can say. Charlotte is survived by her four children, 22 grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and beloved friends and caregivers. A Funeral Mass honoring Charlotte's life will be held on Wednesday, June 27, 2018 at 10:00 AM at Holy Family Catholic Church, 4380 Utica Street, Denver, Colorado with a reception to follow at the church. Interment will be held at 1:00 PM at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 12801 West 44th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Please share your memories of Charlotte and condolences with her family by signing the guest book below.