Charlotte von Lilienfeld

Charlotte Christine Sybille von Lilienfeld-Kechtel

Charlotte von Lilienfeld "Charlie" died on Tuesday, January 24, 2012, at home in Albemarle County. Charlie, a long time resident of the Charlottesville area, was fifty years old. She was the youngest of five children of Ambassador and Mrs. Georg von Lilienfeld-Kechtel (Cable). She was born in Ankara, Turkey, where her father, a member of post-war Germany's diplomatic service, was stationed. Ambassador von Lilienfeld's diplomatic service for several West German Chancellors provided the basis for Charlie's extraordinary skills and interests. Following their posting in Turkey, her family moved to Washington, D.C., where her father served as German Political Minister. She also lived in Iran and Spain where her Father served as Ambassador. These postings enabled Charlie to cultivate her extraordinary linguistic skills, as she attained fluency in Spanish and Farsi as well as French and German. Charlie graduated from the American International School in Madrid and the University of Maryland in Munich. Charlie continued her education when she received a master's degree in International Relations from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service. Always close to her father, Charlie accompanied him on many of his diplomatic missions. Charlie always remembered these times fondly and loved to regale her friends with fascinating tales of these experiences. In addition to being an acute observer of the international scene, Charlie was an accomplished musician. She studied the flute under Jean-Pierre Rampal and was regarded by her contemporaries as a first class flutist. Many Charlottesville residents remember fondly Charlotte's performing at the Shakespearean summer plays at the Barboursville ruins. Charlie was an avid lover of the outdoors, sports, and animals. She craved the excitement of flying down the pistes of St. Moritz as well as the thrill of clearing four bar gates with the local fox hunts. Everything she undertook was done with true passion and enthusiasm. Charlie was also interested in helping her community. Through her teaching posts in Orange and Albemarle Counties, as well as in the D.C. public schools, she made substantial contributions to those around her. Most recently she taught at The Peabody School in Charlottesville.

If one were to ask Charlie which aspect of her life she most cherished and was most proud of, it would no doubt be as a mother to her daughter, Benita. Benita, a first year student at the University of Virginia, was Charlie's pride and joy. Benita resides with her father, Charlie's former husband, Charles Bruce Berry, in Charlottesville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mother Teresa Foundation at www.motherteresafoundation.org. A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, February 4, 2012, at St. Paul's Memorial Church in Charlottesville, Virginia, 1700 University Avenue.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.