Pauline Charters

On Friday 11 June 2021 Pauline Charters went to be with her Lord and Saviour and joined the love of her life Don who passed away May 2021.

Born October 20, 1935 to Bastiaan and Maria Stassen she was the middle child of five and their only Daughter. The Stassen family spent Pauline’s early years in Indonesia  (by her accounts a paradise with fresh mangos, tropical breezes and snakes in the wash house).  As time passed childhood and innocence were interrupted by WWII. When the war ended the family was reunited and made their way to Canada via Holland to settle in the west end of Toronto and begin a new life.

Not long after her arrival in Toronto she met Donald Alexander Charters of MCCharters Engraving. They were married in 1964 and she was blessed with four step children soon to be followed by their own three boys.

A loving mother and dedicated home maker she raised their children and imparted her wisdom on them. She was passionate about dogs, budgies, and cooking. She was raised on Dutch-Indonesian cuisine and always cooked meals from scratch and had the meal on the table in time. Once the three boys were in school she went back to work at several Christian Charitable organizations but never faltered from her cooking and Dutch white glove cleaning schedule.

She was a dedicated Christian who read her bible daily. She was involved  and often volunteered at Beacon Bible camp as a cook or to look after her grandchildren. She was pragmatic and fair, curious, loyal, informed and well-read.  She knew what was going on with her mother’s sixth sense and always welcomed family with open arms. She loved equally and with God’s grace. When her sons met their wives she accepted and loved these women as if they were  her own children. Later  when grandchildren arrived (although she admitted she didn’t know how to be an Oma) she became a cherished and involved Oma.

She was a well-loved Mother, Oma, Sister and Tante and will be missed by her family. She is survived by her three boys  Alex & Julia (Aliyah) of Barrie, Andrew & Jenni (Maxwell and Sam) of Toronto, Dave & Julie (Marlies and Matthew) of Muskoka. Her step children and their families Robert, Catherine , Kenny and Dori. As well as one remaining  brother, sister in laws, nieces and nephews many relatives in Canada and Holland.

At a later date there will be a private graveside burial and a Celebration of Life for both Don and Pauline.

In lieu of flowers, donation can be made to Beacon Bible Camp (camper sponsorship) https://beaconbiblecamp.com/donate or The Bible League https://bibleleague.ca/how-you-can-help/legacy-giving/

Anyone wishing to reach out to the family can contact davejuliecharters@outlook.com where messages can be passed along.