Charlotte Boltwood Petit

1921 - 2014

Charlotte Boltwood Petit

Virginia Beach - Char was born to the late Maude and Harvey Boltwood on June 21, 1921. She spent her youth in Washington D.C. where she graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School. Armed with a home economics degree from Colorado State University and having earlier attended Colorado Women's College Char taught this subject for two years in Sterling, Colorado. The lure of sugar beet farming country proved no match, however, for the opportunity to take to the friendly skies of United Airlines as a stewardess, which during the WWII era was a plum job for a young woman. Char flew for United for several years. Stationed in San Francisco and sharing an apartment with other stewardesses, Char was introduced to a young salesman and World War II veteran, William H. (Bill) Petit, Jr.

Married in 1947, Char and Bill had many adventures, and made many lifelong friends, between their moves to Denver, Chicago, and Seattle, before settling in Pasadena, California to start a family. Barb was born in 1953, followed in rapid succession by Bruce (1954) and Sarah (1955). As well as being a great wife and mother, Char was skilled in gardening, DIY projects and sewing. She was active in Rotary Anns and led a busy social life.

A job opportunity for Bill disproved the saying that "you can't go home again", with Char, Bill and family moving to the Washington D.C. area in 1968. Char renewed teenage friendships and forged many new ones. With retirement, Bill and Char relocated to southern California for a number of years spending time again with many old friends and then moved to Virginia Beach to be closer to their children, all settled with their families in Virginia. Losing Bill in 2006 was painful, but Char continued to enjoy proximity to family and new friends in Virginia Beach, where she resided until her death on November 17, 2014.

As a well-read person with strong opinions, tempered by excellent diplomatic skills, Char charmed all who met her. She combined a fun-loving nature with the ability to be serious someone others trusted and were comfortable confiding in. To those fortunate enough to know Char well, her dry sense of humor and astute asides have always been a source of great amusement and appreciation. While various ailments slowed her down the subtle-but-funny comments were never far from the surface.



She leaves behind her three children and their respective spouses -- Sarah Petit Kerrick (Dave) of Chesapeake; Bruce Petit (Carol) of Spotsylvania; and Barb Petit Rudolph (Gary) of Petersburg. Also surviving are four grandchildren: Will Petit (Sarah); Mary Petit; Erin Kerrick; and Preston Kerrick.

The family thanks the staff of Harbourway/Atlantic Shores and Medi Home Health and Hospice for their thoughtful and compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Central and Eastern Virginia Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society are suggested.