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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Obituary: Hughes, Charlene Lou

HUGHES, Charlene Lou (Age 68) Spokane Valley, Washington Charlene passed with grace, love and peace after a short yet hard fought battle with leukemia on March 1st, 2013.

She passed in Sacred Heart Hospital surrounded by her adoring family and loving friends including her four children, brother Kevin, and sister in-law Sandy.

Charlene was born in Roswell, ID on August 31st, 1944.

She and little brother Kevin were raised by parents Irving and Della in the farming and college town of Cheney, WA.

Charlene was a devoted Campfire Girl, and loved to ride bikes and dance.

She always earned perfect attendance pins for Sunday School, and was elected Queen of Jobs’ Daughters in 1961.

Charlene graduated from Cheney High School in 1962 and attended Eastern Washington State College, today’s EWU.

Throughout her life, Charlene was active in the Lutheran Church, and was the hardworking manager of several retail stores in Washington, Oregon, and New Mexico.

She loved to travel, especially enjoying the desert and the ocean, or to simply get in her car, drive, and take in the local scenery.

Charlene was a strong willed and perceptive person, but always tempered by a sparkle in her eye and a wonderful sense of humor.

She also paid close attention to politics, and was motivated by a strong desire for social justice and racial equality.

Charlene practiced what she preached, always eager to help people in need, whether by providing a shoulder to lean on or a meal.

Charlene’s home was always comfortable and cheery.

She loved to read and spend time with her darling cats.

But above all, she cherished her children, and her grandchildren were the lights of her life.

She will be deeply missed.

She was preceded in death by parents Della and Irving Brooks.

Charlene is survived by: children Heather, Ted, Beth, and Cathryn; grandchildren Coleman, Maev, Bennett and Aedyn; and brother Kevin Brooks, sister-in-law Sandy, and nephew Kasey.

Family and close friends will hold a private memorial gathering in honor of Charlene.

If you would like to honor her memory, please make a donation in Charlene’s name to the Spokane Humane Society, 6607 N Havana St, Spokane, WA 99217.

Please visit Charlene’s on-line memorial at www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com Arrangements entrusted to: