Charlotte Kennedy Ehrenhaft

Charlotte Kennedy Ehrenhaft of Washington DC, passed away peacefully on April 14, 2020, of pneumonia. She was born in Middleboro, Massachusetts, on December 27, 1932, but grew up in Newton Centre, Massachusetts. She graduated from Smith College in 1954 and later obtained a Master's Degree in Social Work from Columbia University, where she met Peter Ehrenhaft, her future husband of 54 years, who was pursuing a law degree. Soon after they married in 1958 they moved to Washington D.C., where they resided permanently. Charlotte spent the vast majority of her professional life working at Friendship House, a Capitol Hill social work agency--no longer in operation--where she crafted funding proposals and served as a pillar of the organization. In retirement, she served on a number of boards, including the United Way of the National Capital Area and the DC Commission on Human Rights, and she devoted significant time to volunteering at Reading for the Blind as well as playing the piano.

Charlotte was beloved by all her acquaintances, friends, and family members, whom she touched with her kindness, her generosity of spirit, and her sense of humor. Through her warmth and profound ability to listen, she had a knack for making others feel cared for and at ease.

She was preceded in death by her husband Peter in 2012 and her sister Thalia Haak in 2010. She is survived by her children, James and Daniel Ehrenhaft, and Elizabeth Rankin; her grandchildren Kirk V, Henry, and Georgia Rankin, Ethan and Caleb Ehrenhaft, and Nathaniel Ehrenhaft; her son-in-law Kirk Rankin IV and his daughters-in-law Alexandra Ashbrook and Jessica Wollman. A service will be held in the fall on a date to be announced. Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to the Alzheimer's Association.

The family also wishes to express a deep appreciation for the loving care and attention Rose Battle gave to Charlotte, especially over these last 8 years.