Birth date: May 28, 1940 Death date: Jun 4, 2022
Charleen Diane Cecilia Studaven (nee Smith), eldest daughter of the late Charles and Aileen Smith, was born and raised in Chicago, IL eventually making her home in Blue Lake Township, MI with her husband, Donald. As a young mothe Read Obituary
The heart is never ready, the time is never right to say goodbye. We hope each new tomorrow will bring you comfort and peace.
May this beautiful tree grow in prosperity knowing and feeling that it represents a special, loving human, Charlene Studaven, you will be missed!
I am not sure what prompted me to look up Charleen on the Internet except for a recurring thought that I needed to give her a telephone call. Now it is too late for that, but not too late to "raise a glass " and share some remembrances. We kept in touch since we both worked together in Civil Service. Not yesterday as it sometimes feels, but 46 years ago. Charleen's common sense approach to work issues and life in general combined with her sense of humor and infectious laugh was an inspiration to me. She always kept things in perspective. The good remains after being retired a number of years. I remember our valued break time when we once decided that the right punishment for work infractions or conversational miscues was a sound "lashing" with dental floss. It became a running joke to count the number of "lashes" warranted. Once there was disbelief that my college degree was in English Literature. As proof, I quoted the prologue for Chaucer's Canterberry Tales in Old English. While most people become glassy eyed after the second line, Charleeen listened intently and understood as proven by her laughter in the right places. Loving books was a major point of commonality. Then there was the mystery of checking the oil level in her car. Charleen related about always asking for the oil to be checked not knowing much about what what was under the hood of a car. She expressed her amazement at the discovery of the dip stick and, after all the years, finding out how simple it was. My pioneer Charleen again doubling down on the road to being independent. Our office was an open concept divided by privacy panels. At one time a customer was angry with me and my determination to the point of threatening extreme violence. Charleen was reassigned the case for an independent review and conference. With her calm demeanor she was able to diffuse the situation without mishap. All the while a guard was armed and ready behind the privacy panel. I had some doubts about a city person like Charleen moving to rural Michigan. As with everything else, she made some adjustments and embraced her new life with enthusiasm. I am glad she found her true love in Don. She deserved the happiness he brought her. The Lord bless you and keep you my dear Charleen. Mark Lambin
All I know is when my girls were little they thought that they had a Grandma Charlene too! We all loved going to your Farm in the woods! Don's homemade jelly and we know David and Benny got their dishwashing skills from you Gramma Charleen😊💚 Thank you for all your wisdom when you told your substitute teacher stories to me. We will miss you Charleen and My twin Christine had a wonderful mother-in-law because of you! Thanks for being such a beautiful lady and kind to all your grandkids and great grandchildren. The Breytspraak's will miss you! Especially Sharon and my two Daughters Josephine and Samantha!
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ Shoreline Memorial Services - Whitehall
