GARSON, Charlotte Charlotte Garson, a resident of Atlanta since 1945, died peacefully on January 11, 2017 at the age of 91. Charlotte was born February 16, 1925, the elder of Aaron and Ruth Rosen's two children. Growing up in Brooklyn, she left for Chicago at age 18 to attend Northwestern University. Upon graduating with a degree in economics, she was invited by her economics professor to join his staff in Washington, D.C. as he accepted a role in the Roosevelt administration. She declined, having met and fallen in love with a beguiling young soldier named Dan Garson from Atlanta. They married on July 1, 1945 and, after Dan's stint in the Army ended later that year, settled in his hometown. Charlotte had a love for her family and friends, collecting, travel and serving the community, particularly Jewish interests and Atlanta's High Museum of Art. She was a longtime member of the board of the American Jewish Committee and the High Museum. Charlotte also believed strongly in education and volunteered for the Ford Foundation in the 1960s teaching underprivileged children how to read. Art was one of her passions, and her involvement with the High Museum as both a board member and collector was one of her greatest joys. Anyone who knew her will agree that she had an exceptional eye and was a great connoisseur of many things, wine, food, fashion, jewelry, antiques and art chief among them. She loved to joke that while her husband and two children were gourmands, she was a gourmet and she was, in all things. The most fulfilling role for Charlotte throughout her life was that of right hand to her husband, Dan. She was unstinting in her support and encouragement of his role as President and then Chairman of the Board of the Lovable Company, a family business begun by Dan's father in the 1920s. Charlotte was an unflagging hostess, confidante, advisor and advocate for Dan and took a keen interest in her role as a board member in the 1990s. As Dan's companion on multiple business trips around the world from the 1950s through the 1980s, Charlotte earned the respect, friendship and devotion of the Lovable affiliates she could have taught Mrs. Kennedy a thing or two. She was elegant, even regal, always erect and perfectly groomed even into her nineties, yet was able to form close relationships with a wide range of people because she was also as charming a person as you could ever meet. At the same time, Charlotte was a traditional wife and a hands on mother. She encouraged both of her children to be achievers and lifelong learners. She believed in women's liberation before there was such a thing, and motivated her daughter to attend law school at a time when there were very few women lawyers. Charlotte was predeceased in 2009 by her devoted husband of 64 years, Dan Garson, and in 2013 by her beloved brother, Lester Rosen. Surviving Charlotte are her son, Frank Garson and his wife, Rhonda; Charlotte's daughter, Lynn Garson, all of Atlanta, and Charlotte's grandchildren Daniel, Jean, Paige and Rose to whom she was always their very special grandmother, by turns inspiring and intimidating, but always a force to be reckoned with. She is also survived by loving nephews and nieces: Alison Rosen Vogel, Jordan Rosen, Jackie Garson Howard, Gary Howard, Neal Howard, Clark Howard, Sue Taylor, Tom Garson, Kathy Frank and Tim Garson, and her sister-in-law Debby Rosen. Charlotte's family wants to thank Millicent Burke and Lourdes Pavan for their outstanding service over the years, as well as Weinstein Hospice and Kadan Homecare for the care their providers gave to Charlotte during the time preceding her death. The family also wants to recognize the incomparable Edna Brown Rogers, who cared for Charlotte's mother and then Charlotte for more than five decades they both loved Edna with all their hearts and she loved them back. Online condolences may be offered at www.jewishfuneralcare.com. In accordance with her wishes, Charlotte will be buried in a private service on Sunday, January 15, 2017. Her family will receive visitors at 2500 Peachtree Road on Monday, January 16 and Tuesday, January 17 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to the High Museum of Art, the Atlanta Humane Society and The Temple. Arrangements by Dressler's Jewish Funeral Care, Atlanta (770) 451-4999.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Jan. 13, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Charlotte GARSON

Sponsored by Dressler's Jewish Funeral Care.

3 Entries

Elizabeth Murray

January 14, 2017

The Lion Queen has passed on. She finessed the art of presenting her self, her home, and her style at a level that inspired many with the details of her daily life. Even her lampshades were exquisite. I always learned something new when I saw her. Although her lifestyle was of an era that will soon be past, she was always current on social and political thought and forward thinking in all ways. She took standards up a notch in the small joy points of daily life. She knew that the details count and she never ignored an opportunity to do it better in some small way. However, she was respectful of other's differences and taught by example. She was a force to be reckoned with but she was kind and thoughtful to me at all points. I knew her in my life for almost fifty years and she often comes to mind as an example of how to live gracefully and graciously. She left this life on her terms and she exited with a bang and not a whimper. She never compromised on the important Bravo, Honey!

Harry Ringel

January 13, 2017

Frank Garson is my oldest friend. I spent many days and overnights with Frank and his family. In those days, I always thought of Charlotte Garson as defining what a beautiful grown-up lady meant. And she was indeed a woman of beauty.
As I grew older, I came to understand that the word beautiful applied to Charlotte Garson in far more meaningful ways. She was always so genuine in welcoming me into her home. She spoke to me, though a child, as if I mattered as a person. Her manner was invariably cordial and good-natured; if I wanted anything, I had only to ask.
As decades passed, I began to see the devoted side of Charlotte. She was a stalwart support to my family in the times of the passings of my mother Sara F. Ringel in 1959 and father Herbert Ringel in 1990. Our families had been close, and the passing of decades did nothing to soften that connection.
The last time I saw Charlotte was a few months ago. She was as lovely and sharp-minded as ever. More than that, her eyes still held the kindness and affection that she had shown to me from the time I was five. She remembered details of my past that I had long forgotten. She smiled warmly as I shared many of my memories. The last thing I said to her was to ask if she could drop Frank and myself off to catch the 23 Oglethorpe bus to go downtown to see a movie at the Paramount. Her smile deepened; she knew exactly what note I was trying to hit.
Charlotte Garson was more than a beautiful woman. She was a person of great intelligence and greater compassion. I am not alone in saying that she will be missed and in thanking her for all the good she brought to this world.

Charles A

January 13, 2017

Offering our deepest condolences to the family and friends in your hour of sorrow.

Showing 1 - 3 of 3 results