GENEVA/TROY, NY - Charlotte Choffin Kenny passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at the Lower Cape Fear Life Care Hospice in Wilmington, NC surrounded by her loving family. Charlotte was predeceased by her husband Edmund (Richey) Kenny in 1983 and her parents, Edith Carey Choffin 1995 and Arthur Choffin1953. Adoring sister to Arthur Choffin (Wife Edna). Admiring mother of Michael J Kenny of Eastchester, New York, predeceased March 2020 (wife Sheila, sons Matthew and Michael, and daughter Katie); daughter Michele Strout of Ocean Park, Maine (husband, Kevin); daughter Colleen Kenny of Swansboro, North Carolina; daughter Jeanine Gaul of Garner, North Carolina (husband, Jeré and daughters Kristine and RachelMarie); son Timothy Kenny of Cary, North Carolina (wife Diane, son Patrick and daughter Justine); son Bobby Kenny of Olmsted Township, Ohio (Nikki Cheon and Nicholas Wanner);
Charlotte was born on October 24,1934 in Geneva NY. Growing up in the beautiful Finger Lake region with her younger brother Arthur and a large extended family. The family celebrated their Italian heritage as a very tight knit family, often meeting for gatherings on Seneca Lake. Charlotte graduated from Geneva High School in Geneva, NY in1952 and met her husband Edmund at Sampson Air Force Base where they wed in July, 1954. Charlotte and Edmund were married for 29 years until his sudden death.
Charlotte retired from the State of New York, Department of Secretary of State. Charlotte was a dedicated, caring, and hardworking person, a role model for all and was unconditionally committed to a strong work ethic up through her retirement at age 73. She was astonished by a surprise retirement celebration held at Joe Bruno Stadium before a Tri-City ValleyCats game where she was honored by throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.
Charlotte was an enthusiastic local sports fan. She was a season ticket holder for Tri-City ValleyCats since their inception in 2002. Charlotte was there for every game cheering the “Cats”, and was never shy about giving any coach her thoughts and opinions on what was needed to win the game -- just ask Rick Murphy, Valley Cats VP/GM.
Charlotte was also a Siena College Basketball season ticket holder for over 20-years. Her prize possession is a congratulatory letter she received from former Siena Coach Fran McCaffrey on behalf of her retirement. Charlotte would not miss a Siena game, no matter the weather, temperature, or team won-loss record. Well into her 80s, Charlotte would meet with a group of fans at Broadway Joe’s for the traditional pre-game tailgate celebration.
Charlotte’s enthusiasm, determination, and commitment to get up and support working people’s interests and ensure their voices were heard and acknowledged was evident through her involvement with the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA). In 1998, Charlotte was elected as the Local Union President – a role and responsibility that enabled her to support all members. A fond memory, in 2000, while attending the 90th annual AFL-CIO delegates meeting in NYC with 200 other CSEA members, the Screen Actors' Guild was also meeting and picketing through the city streets—fighting for a fair contract for their guild members. Without hesitation, and in a show of solidarity, Charlotte joined the frontlines of that demonstration – right alongside actor Richard Dreyfuss.
While countless community members and State employees know Charlotte for her work with the local unions, undoubtedly even more know her for her steadfast support of her children’s youth activities: Muchachos Drum & Bugle Marching Band, Catholic Central High School (CCHS) Marching Band, the Armory Little League, Spring Little League, South Troy Babe Ruth, Troy CYO Basketball, and the Girl Scouts. Charlotte was at every event, cheering for all to be heard and volunteering endlessly.
No human being is one dimensional; instead, we are a rich and unique mixture of thoughts, conversations, interests and memories. Being multidimensional makes every encounter and relationship we have with all different people on our life’s path distinctly different from any other. Charlotte is no exception. Charlotte was a devout Catholic, a strong and fiercely independent Italian woman (aren’t they all?), a devoted mother, a staunch Democrat, a sports enthusiast, a scratch cook, a farm-to-table shopper, a good friend, a fearless adventurer, a two-time breast cancer survivor and an awesome grandmother, mother-in-law, and “Ma”! Charlotte will be missed by many.
The family wishes to acknowledge their appreciation for the special care provided by the Visiting Angels, especially Maria, Kabrina and soon to be nurses Charly, Lydia, and Emily.
The family also wishes to acknowledge Lower Cape Fear LifeCare for their hospice services and support.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to support the Michael Kenny Scholarship Fund, to honor Mike’s lifelong personal and professional commitment to opening access of postsecondary education for all students, especially the underserved.
Michael Kenny Scholarship Fund
106 Lawrence Ave., Eastchester NY 10709-5419
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday February 12, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Francis deSales Roman Catholic Church. Burial will follow the mass in Glenwood Cemetery.
In the Spring, A Celebration of Life Mass and Memorial will be held in the Capital District area (details will be published in the Albany Times Union and Troy Record).