Randolph, Vt. —
Born May 11, 1940, in Mankato, Minn., to Leo and Katherine Schimek. She attended high school in Waseca, Minn. and college in Winona, Minn. She would say her “full life” began when she moved east and married John Delyea in Framingham, Mass. in March, 1968. Over the next eight years they had two sons (both born in Auburn, Maine) and moved frequently to support John’s career in government; in 1976 they settled in Montpelier, Vt.
Charlotte poured herself into her sons’ education and activities in sports, scouts, travel, and play, always creating an environment that was a magnet for neighborhood children complete with arts, crafts, sand piles, toys, and Kool-aid parties. When her sons entered high school she returned to work, managing the Montpelier Elks Club and later sales at the Tavern Motor Inn (today Capital Plaza) and she and John found themselves squarely in the center of the Montpelier social scene, active in dancing, singing, and theatre.
In 1986 they moved to Randolph and started a new phase of their lives becoming a care providing family for children and adults with disabilities or challenges. This became the engine that would drive the next 30 years of her life during which she received a 20 year dedication award and the Winni Pineo Service Award for outstanding contributions enhancing the lives of people with disabilities. Char loved golf, gardening, travel, reading, and any activity with friends and family. Family, defined simply as those we love, was her guide, nurturing them her nature, and faith her foundation.
She is survived by her son Jacques of Costa Rica, son Guy of Randolph; granddaughter Jamie Lemieux and her husband Jon Lemieux of East Randolph; and foster son Jonathan Fletcher of Randolph. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Delyea in 2010.
Calling hours will be Tuesday evening, Oct. 23 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Day Funeral Home, Randolph.
Memorial services will be held at the Vermont Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery Chapel in Randolph Center, Vt. on Wednesday, Oct. 24 at 1 p.m. Interment will follow the memorial service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Dartmouth-Hitchcock’s Norris Cotton Cancer Center.