Charlotte Dorothy Helen (Buesing) Boggs

It is with deep sadness that the family announces that Charlotte Boggs, age 96, passed away on Monday, June 5, 2023. Charlotte was born on September 26, 1926, in Secaucus, NJ to Henry and Charlotte Schwerdtmann Buesing. Charlotte, the fifth child of seven, was fiercely independent and quite an adventurous child playing in Secaucus with her rough and tumble brothers. She preferred to be outside rather than inside doing housework with her sisters. She loved her summers at her parents’ Lake Hopatcong cabin enjoying swimming, water skiing and summer antics with her extended family.

Charlotte began working as a clerk in the Engineering Department at Colgate Palmolive in Jersey City after graduating high school at 17. It was there that she met a handsome, athletic, young Rutgers University graduate and Army soldier who had just returned from World War II who was beginning his engineering career that was delayed by the war. On Mother’s Day, May 14, 1950, Charlotte married George Boggs III and their union set them on a path for great lifetime adventures.

Because George’s engineering career at Colgate Palmolive required them to live a life abroad in several interesting places, Charlotte played the role of partner, supporter, homemaker, and hostess for George’s business dinners, meetings, and events with leaders of cities, and even countries. They began their married life in Havana, Cuba for two years then moved back to New Jersey where their first son, George Wescott “Scott,” was born. Then they spent over 3 years in Switzerland where their second son, Stuart was born. After that assignment, they returned to Cedar Grove, NJ and welcomed their third son, Douglas. They were then assigned to Malaysia where the boys grew fond of the elephants walking in the back yard and the summer heat of the jungle all year long! After another return to Maplewood, NJ, they departed for an assignment in Denmark with their three school-aged boys. This is where Charlotte introduced pumpkins to Denmark from seeds sent by her father-in-law to grow for the boys to carve at Halloween and where the boys thrived. All remembered the fine friends and time in Scandinavia learning the Danish and German languages, skiing in Norway and bike riding. Charlotte was always gregarious and made friends wherever she was. She was highly adaptable to moving her home when necessary and starting over and to appreciate the different cultures in those new lands. She required that her sons be adaptable and in tune with the culture and expectations of those around them too. Charlotte could easily hob knob with royalty in Europe or be down to earth with the poor as she volunteered to serve them in their time of illness in NJ.

In 1987, George retired from Colgate Palmolive, and they moved south to the Florida Panhandle Emerald Coast. They were one of the first to settle in the German developed Bluewater Bay in Niceville, Florida. This was where she enjoyed 32 years of peaceful living, hosting her sons and their families along with family and friends from around the world. She had a passion for gardening and planted and tore out plants over and over! She enjoyed the time in her Florida home and the people she met there.

Charlotte loved to cook and was known for making her mother’s German recipes ranging from German apple cake to rouladen, homemade spaetzle, red cabbage and potato pancakes. And Charlotte loved her beer! As she would say, life is too short to drink cheap beer!

During her life, Charlotte was an avid volunteer and volunteer leader for New Jersey and Florida non-profits. These included the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, the Maplewood, NJ Women’s Club, Orange Memorial Hospital and Meals on Wheels in Orange, NJ. For many years, Charlotte organized and coordinated the Maplewood, NJ Morrow Memorial Church annual fundraiser turnover sale that lasted weeks. Charlotte was also a 74-year member of the Tilden Chapter #59 of the Order of the Eastern Star. In Florida, Charlotte volunteered weekly for the Sharing and Caring Food Pantry in Niceville.

Charlotte is predeceased by her parents; her husband, George, in 2006; and her siblings, sisters: Elfireda “Fritz”, Dottie and brothers: Henry, Ernie, and Will.

Charlotte is survived by her sons, George “Scott” (Patti), Stuart (Cecilia), and Douglas (Nancy); six grandchildren, Christopher, April, George (Kortney), Stephen (Nicole), Nikolaus and Emily; and twelve step-great-grandchildren and one great-grandchild on the way. She is also survived by a sister, Betty; sister-in-law, Gladys Buesing of Massachusetts; and many nieces and nephews from Alaska to Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, and Florida.

Charlotte supported the Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranch Program during her time in Florida. Memorial contributions may be made in her name to:

Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranches, Inc., Main Office PO Box 2000, Boys Ranch, FL 32064, (800) 765-3797, fsyr@youthranches.org

Charlotte will be buried with her husband, George, in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

In honor of Charlotte, please pour an expensive German beer, think of her, and make a toast to enjoy every day! PROST!