Charlene Sternaman Wiss

1930 - 2017

Mother of three daughters. Devoted wife of a lawyer, Navy reservist, and federal court judge. Artist. Proud grandmother of nine and enthusiastic supporter of their educational aspirations. Born in Chicago in 1930, Charlene attended Senn High School and the American Academy of Art. She met her husband Bob through a sister-in-law/matchmaker. Commercial art was her chosen career until the couple married and moved to Evanston to raise their three daughters. She discovered weaving at the Evanston Art Center and her father built a giant loom which had a bird's-eye view of her backyard and garden, bringing her many hours of creativity & pleasure. When Bob began to travel in his work, she converted her skills to coiled basketry after attending a workshop at the Field Museum. Her new craft was portable and "not messy". Over the next 20 years, Charlene showed her baskets in galleries, sold to collectors, and joined a fiber arts guild. She was featured in the Home section of the Chicago Tribune in 1991 which hailed her as a "contemporary nomad". Bob retired from private law practice and was appointed to the US Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces in 1990. Char likened their Washington move to a second honeymoon. A volunteer at the Clinton White House, she often walked past the Smithsonian museums daily, where she observed patterns and design elements that inspired her coiled creations. The couple was able to follow their separate passions together during their years in DC. Following the death of her husband in 1995, she moved to Wilmette where she rejoined old circles of friends and made a wealth of new ones. There she entertained and continued making baskets in her sun-filled apartment, enjoying views of Lake Michigan and surrounding nature. Char attended the early service at St. Mark's Episcopal Church where she served on the Alter Guild. Her volunteer work at the House of Welcome working with Alzheimer's patients was a favorite activity until she stopped driving in 2016. She moved to the Presbyterian Homes where she returned to an earlier medium - painting. In her new surroundings, she received loving care until her passing on January 22, 2017. Char's baskets - her artistry and gentleness woven into each one - represent the physical & colorful legacy she leaves behind to her family and friends. A memorial service will be held at Elliott Chapel at 3131 Golf Road, Evanston on Saturday, February 18th at 2pm. Charlene will be laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery alongside her husband. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the House of Welcome, 1779 Winnetka Ave, Northfield, IL 60093.