Charlene York

Charlene Rose Zeitman York

Charlene Rose Zeitman York entered heaven on September 11, 2025, welcomed by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She is reunited with her beloved husband and high school sweetheart Wayne P. York, whom she loved since age 16, and to whom she was married for 58 years. Surrounded by her loving family, Charlene left this world with the words of 2 Timothy 4:7 in the hearts of those who loved her. Charlene will be deeply missed by everyone whose lives she touched.

Charlene's greatest joy was her family, and as a devoted wife and mother she cared for her family through the military assignments and relocations that came with being the wife of an Air Force officer for over 30 years. It takes an extraordinarily strong woman to marry a partner who was in the military. Charlene enjoyed military life to the fullest, and weathered the storm with courage and grace. With unwavering support and resilience, she accompanied her husband Wayne on his various assignments throughout the country, making each new place a home for her loved ones. Their journey together took them to Virginia, Texas (three times), Nevada, Hawaii (twice), and finally New Mexico, where Wayne retired and their family settled. Hawaii was Charlene's favorite assignment, and she made the most of their two assignments there. She also found happiness in her role as "Nana" to her two beloved grandchildren.

Charlene loved traveling and traveled extensively with Wayne during and after his Air Force career, as well as with family and friends throughout the years. Their trips included locations such as Thailand, South Korea, Greece, Israel, Italy, Mexico, and Spain. Additionally, Charlene volunteered on several activities as an Air Force wife, and was a dedicated volunteer for The Special Olympics, coordinating independent athletes in Nevada, and coaching bowling and track and field in Texas and Nevada. One of her most cherished memories was meeting Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver as a member of the Nevada delegation during the 1983 Special Olympics International Games in Baton Rouge, LA.

Charlene is survived by her two daughters, Jodi York of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Cristy (Richard) Ortiz of Delaware, Ohio. She also leaves behind two grandchildren, Richard Ortiz of Hilliard, OH and Eryn Ortiz of Columbus, OH; her sister, Roberta Cash of Bay Saint Louis, MS; sister-in-law, Marjorie Zeitman of Portland, ME, and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Colonel Wayne P. York; as well as her parents, Jack and Anna Zeitman, and grandparents. She also joins her sister, Priscilla Chapman; her brother, Ralph Zeitman; and her brother-in-law, Robert Cash. Other family who predeceased her include her niece, Jacqueline Zeitman; and her nephews, Timothy Cash and Kenneth Chapman. Funeral arrangements are being handled by French Funerals and Cremations, and she will be interred with her husband at Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Meals on Wheels New Mexico, the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), or Special Olympics New Mexico.