CHARLOTTE ACHURCH

With profound sadness, we share the news of the passing of Charlotte Achurch on January 5th, 2025 in Winnipeg, Manitoba just one month shy of her 101st birthday. She is missed beyond measure.  

Charlotte Georgina Margaret Collinson was born on February 6th, 1924 in Chapleau, Ontario to her parents, Evadna and George.  She is preceded in death by her parents, brothers Elbert, Bill and Todd, sister Isabel and grandsons Christopher Dunville and Zak Kennedy.  

Charlotte is lovingly remembered and deeply missed by many, most of all by her daughter and dearest friend Pamela Jayne and loving son-in-law John Van Haaren; son William John Dunville and daughter-in-law Kathleen; grandchildren Matt, Rob, and Annie and great grandchildren Ellie, Alex, Emma, Brooklyn, Xavier, Deagan and Ivy. She is also deeply missed and remembered by her chosen family she found - Liz, Mike, Nick and Pam Kennedy; and Kim, Duane, Megan (Brian and Dawson) and Lydia Riddell.  She lovingly called them all ‘my kids’, which also includes Shari Saikonnen, Donna Rogowsky, and Cindy Poersch.  She was “Auntie Cha” to her nieces and nephews.  

It is difficult to summarize such a long and wonderful life.  During her more than 100 years on this earth, Charlotte had many chapters and many adventures.  Growing up in Chapleau, she loved spending time at “the camp”.  She started playing the piano at age 4 and excelled at track and field.  Charlotte attended Sir George Williams University in Montreal for bookkeeping while living at the YMCA.  During World War II she worked as a supervisor in a munitions plant in Montreal. She returned to Chapleau and worked for one of the physicians, in the local hospital, and as a school secretary. She played the pipe organ at St John’s Anglican Church and was choir director. Charlotte married William Dunville and they adopted their son, William John when he was just a few days old, whom she loved dearly.   

Charlotte met her second husband, Raymond Charles Achurch, when he came to Chapleau on one of his first teaching positions after leaving England.  They started their life together by moving to Red Lake, Ontario where Charlotte first worked as a telephone operator. Life was filled with many adventures – sailing, a cabin on McKenzie Island, a handmade houseboat, camping, skiing, hiking and mountain climbing.  In 1965, they welcomed their daughter, Pamela Jayne. The family had many travels all over Canada.  They spent a year in London, England during which they explored Europe and created many memories. One of Charlotte’s highlights was having tea at Buckingham Palace with the Queen, for which she still proudly showed the invitation.

Charlotte spent the majority of her years in Red Lake and had a great love for the community and for northwestern Ontario.  After her marriage ended in 1971, she recreated her life, purchasing a house in Madsen and beginning her career in municipal administration.  She was hired by the Township of Red Lake in 1973 as a payroll clerk on a winter grant.  In 1975, she attained the title of Treasurer, and in 1980 the title of administrator was added to her position.  She then earned the position of clerk in 1981, making her new title Treasurer and Clerk-Administrator.  This combined position brought with it the responsibilities of the day-to-day administration of the town, planning, and taking care of the town finances.  This was in a time when women in civic leadership positions were far and few between.  

In her years with the Township, she had many experiences and opportunities which she embraced with much passion and dedication.  She completed a diploma in Municipal Administration in 1978 through Queen’s University by distance education and was on the executive for the Association of Municipal Clerks and Treasurers for many years.   In 1987, Charlotte completed a Certificate in Advanced Municipal Law through Georgian College and in that same year, achieved the designation of Certified Municipal Officer - the highest designation which may be earned in the profession of municipal clerks. Time was also spent travelling all over northern Ontario and sometimes to Ottawa; debating fiercely at town council meetings, with her signature statement “we have no money’; and decompressing afterwards around the table at the Lizabeth Store.  During her time as town administrator, the people of Red Lake had to be evacuated during Fire #14 in 1980.  The town office was command central, and Charlotte was instrumental in the coordination of the evacuation and re-entry.  Some of the other accomplishments during her years with the town were the extension of water and sewer lines (from a single line to eventually providing service to most of the town) and surfacing of the town roads.  In her position as administrator, she is remembered as being firm but fair and compassionate, supporting the other staff with care and kindness.  She still has friends from her time at the Town office who have shared fond memories.  

Charlotte was involved in many other areas of the community.  She was on the board of the Harmony Centre, was one of the original members of the Red Lake Economic Development Corp, was instrumental in starting an Al-Anon program in the area, served on the Madsen Local Services Board, was a member of the Planning Board; and was on the Board for the Non-Profit Housing Corporation.

During these years, Charlotte began her lifelong friendship with Pat Wallace.  Many evenings were spent at Pat’s home solving the problems of the town and of the world, laughing and letting off steam. 

Charlotte retired at age 65 and continued doing municipal administration contract work, travelling around Northwestern Ontario to places such as Sioux Narrows and Pickle Lake. She adopted her most beloved dog, Chivas, who became her constant companion on her new adventures. Her next career was as treasurer at the Red Lake Legion where she became adept at doing accounting on the computer and organizing the weekly Bingo. Like her father, she was a long time Legion member and supporter.

Charlotte played the piano like a dream.  She played the organ/ pipe organ for many years - at St John’s Anglican Church in Chapleau, the Anglican Church of Cleopas in Balmertown and the Anglican/United Church Shared Ministry in Red Lake.  Through the years she was quite involved in church activities including doing the accounting, singing in the choir, and lay minister duties.  

Charlotte loved travelling and was able to enjoy more adventures in her retirement. Yearly trips to Las Vegas with her dear friend, Elisabeth Hagedorn were a fond tradition.  She decided she wanted to go on an Alaska Cruise with Holland America for her 75th birthday, and she was hooked.  So much so that she celebrated her 80th birthday by going on another Alaska cruise.  She went on to enjoy a cruise of the Panama Canal and a couple Caribbean cruises.  She loved Mexico and returned there several times with much joy.

Charlotte excelled at many hobbies and interests through her lifetime.  She was always working on something or learning something new: sewing her own clothes; knitting and crocheting numerous afghans and intricate tablecloths; cross stitching and needlework.  When she retired, one of her goals was to learn to paint, and she was gifted a watercolour paint set.  She eventually enrolled in classes at the age of 85 at the Good Neighbours Active Living Centre, under the skilled guidance of artist Leona Brown. Charlotte found that she had talent and was sometimes known as the “teacher’s pet”.  She was very proud of her art and loved sharing her portfolio with others. 

One of Charlotte’s most notable traits was her kindness. There have been numerous stories shared about how she touched people’s lives.  Charlotte welcomed many into her home and her heart:  her daughter’s friends and others when they needed a temporary refuge, a good meal or a place to stay; or stray animals that became much loved family pets. She provided a sounding board and wisdom and would laugh and talk and shed tears, whatever was needed. She was a strong woman and could be fierce when it was needed.  Charlotte loved to spend time talking with others, whether it was about personal struggles, world events or politics. She had a quick wit and loved to tease – “here comes trouble!”.  

At age 83, Charlotte moved to Winnipeg to be closer to her daughter and son-in-law in Wolseley.  They shared a century old home, enjoyed many beloved pets, and created countless memories over the last 18 years.  There were numerous camping trips (a favourite was Rushing River); road trips and other travelling; new experiences in Winnipeg; family meals and get togethers; and quiet evenings spent at home.  She was embraced by her new family –  Ursula and Michel Maynard; Orysia and Edmund Jag; and the rest of the family.  Charlotte had her last camping trip to Red Lake at age 100 and celebrated at the Legion with friends and family.  These years were especially precious, and Charlotte was able to live at home until the end of her life.

One of the keys to her longevity was never thinking of herself as  ‘old’.  Even at 100 years of age, she would exclaim as she looked in the mirror, “I look like an old lady!”.  She was fiercely independent and wanted to be busy and involved until the end.  She had a positive outlook and believed in not dwelling on the past but moving forward.

Charlotte found the beauty and joy around her every day. Her beautiful smile lit up the room. She laughed loudly and loved to sing, all the time. She loved animals and her many pets had a huge place in her heart.  She loved to dance.  Charlotte especially loved chocolate, cookies and sweets.  She loved reading the newspaper and watching the news, funny pet videos, and Steven Colbert.  She was eternally curious.  We will continue to celebrate and honour her life every day by looking for the beauty and the joy around us, by telling our loved ones how much they mean to us, by cuddling our pets, eating the sweets, and by singing and laughing loudly.   

A service will be held at St Luke’s Anglican Church on Nassau on Saturday, February 22nd at 11 am.  This will be followed by a celebration in honour of her life in the church hall. 

Wearing happy colours and singing and laughing are encouraged.  

All are welcome. 

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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