Charlotte Proctor

Charlotte Proctor was a woman who never quit. She never quit moving, never quit fighting for noble causes, and certainly, never quit loving everyone around her. From the flora and fauna in her yard, to the family and friends so dear to her, Charlotte’s heart had plenty of love to go around. More than anything, Charlotte was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, who opened her home and heart to everyone she knew.

Charlotte’s story began on a cool spring day in 1932, as the winter snows finally melted in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Those were such difficult days in this country, which was caught in the very teeth of the Great Depression, and times were tough for so many. Yet on March 25, 1932, Charles and Christine (DeYoung) Meindertsma found a reason to rejoice, with the birth of a beautiful baby girl, a daughter they named Charlotte Jane.

Charlotte was later joined by her baby brother Don in the family’s home on the northwest side of Grand Rapids. Her father worked as a woodworker and supervisor at Bergsma Bros. Furniture, while her mother cared for the children and the home. Growing up during the Depression wasn’t easy and the times left a lasting impression on little Charlotte. She vividly recalled her family walking downtown to buy hamburger at 10 cents a pound, and the family motto was “Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without!” Somehow they always made do.

Charlotte attended Oakleigh Elementary School, where her high intelligence began to shine through. She was even the school spelling bee champion. She later attended Union High School where her academic excellence continued. She was also voted the “wittiest” in her high school class because her fine sense of humor. Charlotte had plenty of school spirit too, and her love for the football team led to a greater, lifelong love.

One night Charlotte went to a school football game in Battle Creek, and on the ride home she met a handsome young member of her school’s squad named John Proctor. The sparks flew between them, but little did they know the journey they were embarking upon.

They dated through high school and John and Charlotte graduated in 1950. Being the honor roll student that she was, Charlotte longed to attend college to further her studies. Money was tight and her parents elected to send her brother to college instead, even though, as Charlotte put it, “she was smarter.”

Charlotte began working as an accountant and secretary at Bergsma Bros., where her natural business acumen was a source of pride for her. She was very intelligent, and a lifelong learner, who continued her self studies in her free time for the rest of her life. She was fascinated by archeology, geography, Biblical theology, world cultures, current events and nature among other subjects and accumulated an extensive personal library.

Eventually, Charlotte and John were married, on October 9, 1953, at Richmond Reformed Church where they would be active lifelong members. The newlyweds honeymooned in the Upper Peninsula so that John could get in some fishing. It was the first and last time she went fishing with him!

The couple settled into an upstairs apartment on Widdicomb at first, before building a beautiful new home at 770 Maynard NW, a chip shot from Lincoln Country Club. It was a wonderful place where they made many fond memories, raised their family, and where Charlotte would live the rest of her days.

John worked at Michigan Bell, while Charlotte soon had her hands full at home. The couple welcomed their first child in 1954, their son Daniel, followed by Christine in ’59, and David rounded out the happy family in 1964.

Charlotte was a wonderful wife and mother, who devoted her life to caring for the people around her. She prepared delicious meals each day and kept the house looking spotless as well. She taught her children that it didn’t matter if you were rich or poor, cleanliness was next to godliness.

Charlotte was the best possible grandma, always offering an encouraging word and profuse praise for her grandchildren’s accomplishments. For many years she enjoyed having her “honeys” spend the night at her house. She delighted in playing library, grocery store, beauty shop, dolls and tea party or building “camps” over the furniture with piles of sheets and blankets. There were few rules at Grandma’s house, just lots of love and laughter. As the grandkids grew, Charlotte faithfully cheered at all their sporting events and hated to miss a single game.

Faith was an integral part of Charlotte’s life as well, and she shared that faith with her family. She insisted that John read devotions every night after dinner, and they all went to church twice on Sundays with catechism on Wednesdays.

Charlotte was very active at Richmond Reformed Church and served as an Elder and Clerk of Consistory. She chaired the Outreach Committee, taught Sunday School creating her own curriculum, chaired the Ladies Guild and Vacation Bible School, and was a Women’s Bible Study and Coffee Break leader for years.

Charlotte truly lived her faith and led by example. She was a committed volunteer for the March of Dimes. In the 1970’s, she and John opened their hearts and home to a number of refugees from Vietnam, China and Indonesia. She enjoyed learning from these people and remained good friends with them throughout the years.

Charlotte made friends everywhere she went, friends of every race, creed, color and walk of life. She believed it was important for her children to experience people of different cultures so they would grow up open-minded (and open-hearted) as she was. She had many faithful friends from her “Diet Club,” to her “Birthday Girls,” to the “Oakleigh Girls” from school. Char always had time for a phone call or a visitor, and was fond of slipping some cash to those in need.

Charlotte had room in her heart for everyone and everything it seemed. She delighted in surrounding herself with nature, and her yard became a veritable Garden of Eden, filled with beautiful flowers and perennial plants. She also fed the many birds and squirrels who visited each day, even employing someone to tend to them while she was on vacation. Charlotte was a Master Gardener and traveled across the state judging flower shows.

Charlotte was always on the move, it seemed, and a favorite phrase was “I’ll be out buzzing around today,” just like the honeybees in her garden.

The family did much together and enjoyed traveling extensively over the years. They vacationed in the U.P. (so John could hunt and fish), but also visited Israel, China, Mexico, the Bahamas, and the Netherlands. She was thrilled to go to Friesland in the north part of the Netherlands where Charlotte’s family was from.

In 2002, Charlotte and her family received some difficult news; she was diagnosed with an aggressive uterine cancer, stage 4, and the doctors gave her only 6 months to live. Never one to back down from a challenge, Charlotte dove into the chemotherapy with a positive spirit. Six months came and went many times over as she continued to receive the same prognosis. Even so she never lost her optimistic spirit or sense of humor. She tossed her wig on and off like a hat, less concerned about her physical appearance than about her inward person. Eventually she battled it into a 5 year remission.

Then, in 2007. her cancer returned. Never a quitter, Charlotte took all the treatment available and never complained. She just kept enjoying what life offered, including visits with her namesake infant great-granddaughter. Charlotte passed away at her home on Tuesday afternoon, August 12, 2008 in the presence of her loving family.

Charlotte was a remarkable woman who never quit, never quit moving, fighting, or serving and loving the people around her. She was an amazing wife, mother, grandma, and a dear friend to so many. She was a true follower of Jesus Christ. She will be so greatly missed.

Charlotte is survived by her children, Daniel (Bonnie) Proctor, Christine Morsink, and David Proctor; Grandchildren: Trevor, Britney, and Taylor Collard; Caitlin (Micah) Perkins and daughter Charlotte; Michael, John and Alison Morsink; and brother Don (Joan) Meindertsma.