Charlotte J Litton

Charlotte J. Litton, more affectionally know to all as "Nanny", passed away peacefully with her family at her side on Tuesday September 9, 2025, at Community Medical Center in Toms River, NJ.

Born in Nanticoke, PA, she formerly resided in the Fords Section of Woodbridge Twp. & Perth Amboy, however lived in Pine Beach for the last 2 years.

Charlotte retired in 2001, after 23 amazing years as a financial coordinator / administrative assistant at Brook Warehousing Corp. in Finderne, NJ. Prior to that, she had been employed as a switchboard operator with NJ Bell in Perth Amboy for over 25 years and was a former member of the Pioneers Club with NJ Bell.

Charlotte (Nanny) had an unparalleled zest for life and an even greater love for her family-a love that couldn't be measured. From trips, vacations and excursions to Florida (Disney), Tennessee (Dolly World), Georgia, Alabama, Myrtle Beach and let's not forget Seaside and the Bahamas, she loved them all, however, the common denominator was having her family with her.

Over her 97 remarkable years, Charlotte witnessed a world transformed-from one-lane roads to highways, from switchboards to smartphones, from politics to conflict, open land to buildings, she was not only a living time capsule of history, but also her family's cherished historian, filled with stories of resilience, laughter, and wisdom, a plethora of knowledge.

The stories she told were not tall tales or hear say, rather, they were actual life experiences, whether through tragedy & triumph, good times or bad, she lived them and with each one recalled, you could tell the effect it had on her through her facial expressions.

Two stories that always resonated with everyone was when she worked for NJ Bell and received a call indicating an explosive device had been placed in a local hotel & would soon detonate. Using her skills amassed, Charlotte was able to track the call, ascertain the number, call it back after determining it was a payphone & spoke to the owner of the establishment where the phone was located, while simultaneously contacting and updating authorities.

In short order, the police gained a description of a suspect and were able to identify, locate and place him under arrest. It should be noted; this was a pivotal time (1956/1957) as NYC was in the midst of a situation spanning nearly 17 years (1940 – 1957) termed the "Mad Bomber Case" where over 30 bombs had been planted and numerous people injured. In this particular incident, the suspect in question was in a local tavern, heard an update via AM radio re. the NYC case & on impulse, made numerous "hoax" calls. For her diligent and swift actions, Charlotte received commendation letters from NJ Bell and the Chief of Police.

The other, while also with NJ Bell occurred on the evening of Feb. 6, 1951 when the commuter train known as the "Broker" enroute to Bay Head NJ derailed just as it passed the Woodbridge train station. Sadly, more than 80 people lost their lives and hundreds were injured when train cars tumbled down an embankment. Nanny recalled the switchboard being "lit up" and fielding hundreds of phone calls requesting emergency assistance while being able to hear sirens, screams and yelling in the background.

While these may be historical, noteworthy stories, this is a mere snapshot of a life filled with countless moments of courage, compassion, joy and kindness. There is a myriad of others which depict family, friends, love and happiness. Nanny – "our Matriarch" – "our Queen", we are all better today because of her.

Not a philanthropist by true definition, Charlotte, a beacon of strength and generosity supported many charitable causes and while she never sought recognition, her mailbox often overflowed with thank-you notes, calendars, rosary beads, bookmarks, and more-small tokens of appreciation that she proudly shared with visitors. After all, no one ever left Nanny's house empty-handed.

Words cannot describe the void that she has left, but we find solace that she enjoyed a life well lived and is now at peace, at rest and we continue to carry her in each and every one of us. We can proudly proclaim, she was ours!

Charlotte was predeceased by her granddaughter, Amanda Joyce Salerno, who passed away in 1986, her son-in law John Salerno Sr. in 2014 and her grandson-in-law Donald Trout, who passed away in the line of duty in 2021, as well as her two brothers, Howard Jones and Lawrence E. Jones Jr.

She leaves behind her beloved daughter, Brenda J Salerno, her 4 grandchildren, Benjamin and his wife Irma, Angela Conway and her husband Rodney, Charlotte Salerno-Trout and Johnny Salerno, Jr. and his wife Veruschka, as well as her 10 great grandchildren; Ryan, Rebecca, Christopher, Sarah, Benjamin, Gabriella, Giovanni, Brianna, Gianni, Noah.

Visitation will be on Monday, September 15, 2025, from 10 am until 2 pm, at, the Flynn and Son / Koyen Funeral Home, 319 Amboy Ave. Metuchen, NJ 08840 followed with a 1:45 pm prayer service.

Cremation services will immediately follow at Rosehill Crematory in Linden, NJ

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to either Tunnel2Towers.org or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN at Stjude.org