Koski, Charlene Lydia
Charlene Lydia Koski (who you might have also known as a Weber, Carroll or Thomaston) entered eternal life on Tuesday, 6
June 2017.
Charlene was born on Monday,
1 March 1943, in Philadelphia, PA to Walter Weber and Dorothy Peart. She was the last born and the only girl. She had three older brothers (Walt, Jack, and Ernie) and three spouses (Billy Mack Carroll, John Thomaston, and Stan Koski).
With the heartbreaking exception of two grandchildren* her generous spirit is carried on by her five children from Billy Mack (Dorothy, Robert, Lydia, Billy, and Elizabeth); by her 10 grandchildren (Brandon*, Aaron*, Linsey, Alyssa, Cameron, Jennifer, Joselyn, Amanda, Josh, and Jake); by her two great-grandchildren (Presley and Autumn), by her brother Ernie, and by in-laws (perhaps some outlaws as well), nieces, nephews, friends and family too numerous to list but whom were always in her heart.
She first married at 16 and after her children were born she attended night school to finish her high school degree. She started her undergraduate studies in her early 30’s and earned a Bachelor’s degree from the New Mexico Highlands University. She continued her formal education into graduate school and earned her Master’s degree from the College of Santa Fe.
Charlene ended her career as a Social Worker for the State of New Mexico. This was her calling and her life’s work. She started as an entry level Homemaker working with abused children and dysfunctional families. She soon was frustrated and infuriated by what she saw and what she was prevented from doing because of the limitations of her position; which ultimately she knew was due to the limitations of her education. Harnessing this as motivation, she steeled herself to the task of earning an undergraduate degree and ultimately to becoming a Certified Social Worker. This having been achieved she yearned to learn even more and do even more still; she therefore doubled down and not only completed her graduate degree but did so with academic honors.
It’s been said that hidden in every adult is a child who wants to play. This was true for her. She worked with children because she liked children, she understood children, she empathized with children, and because she cared about children. Being at heart one herself, she fought for children unable to fight for themselves. She seemed to live vicariously through each of her client children and cared for them as if they were her very own. She shared in the joy of their successes and she grieved for them and suffered with them when success was not possible. While her biological family was large, it pales in comparison in comparison to the size of the loved ones she adopted during her life’s journey. She is loved and will be missed by all.
Family, friends, and strangers she would love to have met are welcomed to share in Charlene’s memorial service and reception on Sunday, 25 June, 2:30 to 4:30 at First Unitarian Church at 3701 Carlisle Blvd (at the intersection of Comanche). Dress comfortably with a splash of purple or teal (her favorite colors). In Charlene’s memory, donations may be made to any charitable organizations which seek to support abused or neglected children or animals.