Charlotte M. Whitehead

Charlotte M. Whitehead, 82, a resident of  the Willow Valley Communities, went home to be with the Lord, Thursday,  January 30, 2014 at Lancaster General Hospital.

She was married 51 years to the late Donald Whitehead who died in  2011.  Born in Newark, NJ she was the daughter of the late William and  Mattie Hontz.

Charlotte was a homemaker and a longtime  member of the First Baptist Church in Rahway, NJ.  She was a graduate of the South Side High School in Newark, NJ and had attended Nursing  School.  Charlotte enjoyed music and theatre and was a member of the  Willow Valley Cultural Center Chorale.   Reading was her passion and she enjoyed being a librarian at the Willow Valley North Garden  Apartments.   She was interested in history and enjoyed traveling.  Held closely to her heart was her family, and she always made time to attend events that her grandchildren were participating in.

Surviving are three sons, John G.  Swanson of Lancaster, David C. Swanson  husband of Robbi  of Walnutport, PA, and Rev. William E. Whitehead husband of Betsy of Rahway, NJ; three stepsons, Donald J. Whitehead husband of Donna of Cross, SC, Jeffrey  Whitehead husband of Linda of Red Oak, TX, and Glenn Whitehead husband  of Denise of Ridgeville, SC.  Also surviving are seven grandchildren,  one great grandchild, five step grandchildren and seven step great  grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held in the Johnson Auditorium of Willow Valley Manor North, 600 Willow Valley Square,  Lancaster, PA on Saturday, February 15, 2014 at 2:00 P.M. The family  will greet friends following the memorial service.  Private interment in Hazelwood Cemetery, Rahway, NJ will take place at the convenience of  the family.  If desired, contributions in Mrs. Whitehead’s memory may be made to the Brunner Nursing Education Fund, c/o Willow Valley  Communities, 675 Willow Valley Square, Lancaster, PA  17602.