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Charlotte Darling

In loving memory of Charlotte Elizabeth Darling, born May 17, 1934, in Appleton, Wisconsin, and departed Jan. 28, 2024, in the town she called home. Charlotte was preceded in death by the love of her life, George F. Diehl. She was the second child of Dr. Stephen Foster Darling and Delphine Charlotte (nee Diezel) and the fourth maternal granddaughter of Sai Sai Go No Kwe, daughter of the Great Chief Me Sa Sa (aka Turkey Foot).

Charlotte was a “local girl,” a graduate of Appleton West High School (1952), Lawrence University (B.A., 1956), and Wesleyan University (MALS, 1983), who imparted her artistic ability as she sculpted not only masterpieces but also the minds of those she taught. She excelled at the cello, playing in the Lawrence Symphony with her father. She had to choose between art and cello, and fine art won, though she played cello in Pennsylvania as well. Charlotte taught skiing in Pennsylvania in the 1970s with the “Good Time Ski School” at Blue Knob. She was an expert skier, and lucky for us, she shared her talents with her children. Charlotte won numerous art awards in Pittsburgh and Lancaster, including six Best of Show awards at the Westmoreland Museum of Art in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. While living in Connecticut, she was recognized with numerous awards, including the Connecticut Woman Artist of the Year Award in 1990. Awards in Wisconsin included four Awards of Excellence and two Best of Show Awards at Art in the Park, Appleton, three Sculpture Awards at Deer Path Art Show, Lake Forest, Illinois, three Best of Sculpture Awards at Art Fair off the Square, Madison, Wisconsin, and a Best of Show at the Wausau Festival of the Arts, Wausau, Wisconsin. Her artwork adorns public and private collections across the country, including Carlow College, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Union National Bank, Johnstown, Pennsylvania; Payne Webber, Pittsburgh; Richard Mellon Scaife, John D. Rockefeller Jr., Mercy Oakwood Outpatient Center, Oshkosh, Wisconsin; Wausau Insurance, Wausau; Valley Periodontics, Appleton and Oshkosh; Wausau Hospital, Wausau; Arbonne International, Appleton; Miron Construction Co., Appleton; Public Art in the Park (400 block Downtown), Wausau. Charlotte taught art for more than 10 years at Guilford High School in Guilford (as Charlotte Ehrhart) and at the Appleton West High Renaissance School until she was 79. Charlotte’s book of haiku was published by her granddaughters in 2020.

Beyond her artistic expertise, Charlotte was adored for her warmth, silliness, and timeless beauty. In the rockpile of life, Charlotte Darling’s legacy is polished in the hearts of her family, friends, and all of those touched by her whimsical spirit. May her laughter echo in our memories and her art endure as a testament to a life well-lived.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Rennes Nursing and Rehabilitation in Appleton for their kindness and care over the last five and a half years.

She leaves behind two brothers and a sister, five children, eight grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. There is a private family gathering to celebrate her life later this year.