Charlotte Wall Bluestone

On Monday, July 21, 2025, Charlotte Dorothy Wall Bluestone of Bethesda, Maryland, beloved wife of the late Nathan Sanders Wall and of the late Henry Bluestone; devoted mother of David Neal Wall and Johanna Sara Wall Sands; and cherished grandmother of Nina, Michael, Hillary and Carly. Charlotte is also survived by niece Marianne Labell of Plantation, Florida and nephew Mark Canter of Belmont, Massachusetts. She was predeceased by her siblings Milton Katz, Helen Miller, and Henrietta Canter.

Charlotte was born on December 16, 1928, in Kingston, New York. Her father Charles Katz was a textile manufacturer and leader in the community and synagogue. She attended Kingston High School and Syracuse University, graduating in 1949. After college, while working in New York, Charlotte met Nathan Sanders ("Sandy") Wall, a veteran of the Pacific campaign studying for his PhD in physics. They were married in 1951, moved to the Boston area and settled in Lexington. Charotte taught at several kindergartens in the area. Son David arrived in 1956 and daughter Johanna in 1962. In 1964, the family moved to Silver Spring, MD, when Sandy became a Professor of Physics at the University of Maryland. For many years she was a special education teacher at the Ivy Mount School. The family spent sabbatical years in Copenhagen and in Israel. In both milieus, Charlotte established a wide circle of lifelong friends. Sadly, Sandy died in 1979.

Charlotte became a forceful and successful fundraiser for the Jewish Foundation of Greater Washington, and later assisted the Jewish Social Service Agency in the resettlement of Soviet Jews. Charlotte was especially effective at finding ways to ensure the emigres had the support they needed to be comfortable and fulfilled in their new country. Over the years she formed lasting friendships with those she was able to help.

In 1997, she married Henry Bluestone, with whom she enjoyed a happy and fulfilling life until his death in June 2005. In her later years Charlotte resided at the Larmax memory care home in Bethesda, where she was a favorite of residents and staff.

Charlotte was gregarious, determined, devoted to her family and fiercely loyal to her friends. She enjoyed meeting new people and assiduously maintained relationships with relatives and friends, despite the impediments of time and distance. She believed strongly in the commandment to do good in the world, to recognize a need and to fulfill it as best she could. Her happiest days were baking with her grandchildren, finding a home or a job for an émigré, or helping one of her special needs students achieve a breakthrough however small. She will be remembered for her impact on her family, friends, and community.

A private service was held on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 in Bethesda, Maryland.

Donations in her memory may be made to the Jewish Social Services Agency, the Ivymount Organization for neurodivergent education, or a charity of your choice.