Charlotte (Char) Ann Deslippe, inflight to New Zealand, died unexpectedly of heart failure in her sleep on April 12th, 2018. Born July 28th, 1939 in Des Moines, Iowa to Rose and Linus Lawler, Char married Robert (Bob) Milton Deslippe and immigrated to Canada in 1972. Prior to marriage, Char served in a religious community of sisters, completed a degree in U.S. History at Marycrest College in Davenport, and taught high school in Iowa, Illinois, and Minnesota. She completed her master’s degree in Religious Education at the University of Detroit in 1972. Char’s 50-year vocation inspired secondary and post-secondary students in the USA, Fort McMurray, AB, and Victoria, BC. She retired from teaching at St. Andrew’s Regional High School in 1999, but continued her service as an Educational Consultant, eventually joining the Board of Directors for the Island Catholic Schools. Her accomplishments and accolades were many; notably, she co-authored a world religions textbook and developed religious education curricula for the provinces of Alberta, Ontario and BC. She was an Honorary Lifetime Member of the Alberta Catholic School Trustees’ Association and was awarded the Benemerenti Medal for Service to the Church by his Holiness Pope Benedict the XVI in 2007.
Char was predeceased by her parents and brother, Father Phillip. She is survived by Bob; daughters Jennifer (Troy) and Julie (Hinrich); beloved grandchildren Leif, Faye, Briar, and Innis; cherished siblings Marilyn, Darrell (Carole), Loretta, and Tom (Jackie); and countless others touched by her extraordinary energy, spirit, joy and generosity.
A prayer vigil will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Parish at 7:00 pm on Thursday, April 26th. All are invited to a Celebration of her Life on Friday, April 27th, 2018 at the Holy Cross Catholic Parish, 4049 Gordon Head Rd, Victoria at 11:00 am.
The family welcomes contributions to the Hanti Sidra One Global Family Society, supporting vital projects in the Horn of Africa, www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/HantiSidra/ including St. Joseph’s School in Keren, Eritrea, where Char and Bob volunteered as teachers.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
“Mom died one month ago today – it’s hard to believe, isn’t it? So many people sent along kind words and memories of Mom before the funeral. We wanted to share these at Mom’s celebration of life; however, we could not squeeze them in, as there were so many people present that spoke of mom and how she touched their lives. It was beautiful. Thank you, everyone, for being with us in person or in spirit that day. Your kind words, love and hugs continue to help so much!
Love Jen, Julie and Bob
29 Responses
Sister Charlotte was my 6th and 7th-grade teacher in Marshalltown, Iowa, 1965-1966,1966-1967. She was very dear to me. I have many delightful memories of her smiles and laughter. Even now at 65 and many educational experiences behind me, I will tell you hands down…..she was my most beloved teacher! She loved us fiercely and that unconditional love filled a lot of emotional gaps for us. Her presence in our lives gave us solace, safety and joy.
Today I was cleaning and sorting and found many letters from Sr. Charlotte and pictures from our classes. I thought, “oh let’s Google her or look on Facebook.” Sadly, I found her obituary. I would be happy to copy these and send a packet to you. Her letters are quite a hoot as you can imagine, talking about shopping for blouses and pumps after the “change of habit” in 1966.
Finally, let me express my sincerest sympathy. Knowing your mom and wife from a very small piece of her life, I can only imagine the breadth of your grief at losing this beautiful woman. I’m sure it has been a tough year.
In peace,
Susan Liddell
To Bob, daughters Jennifer, Julie and their families; siblings Marilyn, Darrell, Loretta, Tom and their families, and all those who loved Char – my sincere and loving sympathy. Char was special. Time spent with her in high school and as a Sister of Humility was most memorable and full of fun. All the years after those times, through personal connections, were so meaningful whether from visits here or by letter. The last connection at Christmas was through her newsy letter and my response. Almost daily you and she are in my thoughts and prayers. We have lost one darling lady who did her best to make the world a better place. I am so grateful to have known her and Bob, along with Fr. Phil and Marilyn. I feel that I know the rest of the family through Char’s correspondence. What a gift she shared.
With love and prayers,
Cathy Talarico, CHM
We were saddened to hear of Char’s passing and I have only now found this site in order to make a comment. I had the privilege and honour of working with Char at Fr. Mercredi Community High School in Fort McMurray, Alberta. Char gave tirelessly of her time to the students, staff and school. She was instrumental in organizing graduation and did so with artistic flare, finesse and class. Char was a model Christian who upheld the Catholic values and beliefs in everything she did. Her energy and exuberance was pervasive in all her grand work. The student’s loved her, as did the staff and she taught with enthusiasm and grace. Char could never be seen without a smile on her face and her loving personality touched us all. I still have the beautiful, colourful banner she made for my wedding. Char will be sorely missed. My regret is how time has a way of passing us by so quickly, that we lost touch with the Deslippe’s as our paths and directions changed frequently; however, I can say, I always kept a fond memory of a teacher and person that inspired me to be the best version of myself. Char will be forever in out hearts. Our condolences to Bob, Jen, Julie and families.
Diane & Rodney Walsh
Charlotte Lawler Deslippe (aka “Joy, Energy, Laughter, Life”)
The four Lawler children, Phil, Marilyn, Charlotte, and “Tootsie” and the three Hagedorn girls, Elaine, Mary Jo and Jeanie along with Kathleen, Denny and Mike Mullin were among the close neighbors and friends who shared our exciting growing up years at St. John’s Catholic grade school in Des Moines, Iowa. That was long ago during the 1940’s and early ’50s. The good BVM Sisters tried their best to corral the large classes of energetic students, and succeeded, remarkably, in giving each of us a good education. That Catholic education would continue for the girls at St. Joseph Academy and for the boys at Dowling High School. Those were good years! Family, faith, fun, hard work, community, sports, prayer, friendship, service … solid building blocks for the young as we prepared to choose our life paths. And so we did.
Several Des Moines girls entered the convent after high school including me (Jeanie) who joined the Sisters of the Humility of Mary in Ottumwa. The following year, 1957, Charlotte and Elaine would make the same decision. At that time our custom was for one of the novices to take a “little sister” under her wings to help her get acquainted those first weeks, and so Jeanie, having a year under her belt, was to be Charlotte’s “big sister”. The other novices, hearing about this new postulant coming were, naturally, curious and excitedly asked “What is Charlotte like? How would you describe her?” I could only reply, “I can NOT describe Charlotte. She is one of a kind. You will see for yourself. She is uniquely CHARLOTTE!” And after the first meeting they all understood. “CHARLOTTE was simply and uniquely CHARLOTTE!”
Wherever she went during those wonderful years as a CHM Char left a trail of stardust, joy, laughter, energy, LIFE. Even watching our beloved Motherhouse and college go up in flames on Oct. 7, 1957 didn’t extinguish the spirit. We all grew even closer as we shared tight quarters at the old Ottumwa Airbase. Always a loyal friend, fun companion, faith-filled “searcher” Char soon became a creative, dedicated teacher. Later discerning her true calling to married life, Char left the CHMs and became a loving wife and partner to Bob, a proud, encouraging mother to Jen and Julie, dotting grandmother to her adorable grandchildren, caring, supportive sister to her siblings, faithful friend to many near and far.
Through the years we mainly communicated through emails and Christmas letters reading of her love for her growing family, her tireless devotion to her church, her endless thirst to learn and grow, to share and give of herself. In the summer of 2016 Char accompanied Marilyn back to Des Moines for our high school reunion. On that occasion, as on others, she wanted to visit our retired and infirm Sisters of Humility. She had formed a bond with the community over 60 years ago, a bond never to be broken. On that final visit back to her roots Char’s joy, energy, laughter and life was as evident and vibrant as it was back in our days at St. John’s grade school. Her mother Rose, our longtime St. John’s organist, must be letting out all the stops now on heaven’s grand pipe organ as she welcomes her middle daughter home to fill the heavens with the music of her laughter, life and joy!
Jeanie Hagedorn, CHM April 2018
So sorry to hear of Char’s passing. My thoughts and prayers go out to Bob and the girls, Jennifer and Julie and their families. Rest in peace, my friend. You’ve earned it.
Ted E Venne
Former Teacher at Father Mercredi CHS
So sorry to hear of Mrs. Deslippes death. We all have such fond memories of our time in Irish dancing with Jennifer, Stella and Emma. Take comfort in the knowledge that she passed inflight, what a way to go.
We were quite taken back to hear of Char’s passing. Her ready smile and affable ways were very welcome whenever we met either at one of FT. Macs schools or at church. She was a wonderful model of one who lived the Christian life. She is now home with the heavenly host. Sincere condolences to Bob, Julie, Jennifer and their families.
Kathy, Bob, and Peter Brown
Offering my heartfelt condolences. Char has been a kind and generous friend, and I wish all the family strength and love on this tragic loss.
BOB and Chris Coleman
April 27,2018
Char was a wonderful lady with many talents. She loved teaching and cared for all her students. She adored her grandchildren and wrote many Christmas letters keeping her family and friends apprised of all their activities and travels. She and Bob were always busy, even in retirement. We will miss her and send our sincere condolences to Bob, Jenny, Julie, and all her family.