Charlotte Oppenheimer Obituary

Charlotte Oppenheimer

Charlotte Saxe Oppenheimer was born in Saco, ME on May 31, 1940 and died on December 29, 2013 in Castro Valley, CA after a valiant 8.5 year battle with myeloma.

She was raised in NH and Amarillo, TX and graduated Lindenwood College in St. Charles, MO in 1962. The same year, she married Steven Oppenheimer and they lived in NYC, Atlanta, Okinawa, and Seattle before settling in Castro Valley in 1968.

She is survived by her husband Steve, son Dan Oppenheimer (Sarah Tunik), daughter Laura Oppenheimer Carlier (Laurent), grandchildren Simon, Ruth, Max, Felix, Adele, Romain and Cedric, brother Henry and sister Mimi.

Charlotte was a caring and giving, energetic, vibrant, adventurous, creative foodie (before the term existed). She was the go-to person for all things food and kitchen. She is remembered for happy times around the table with good food and travel with husband Steve as well as with the family - Mexico, Hawaii, Israel, Greece, England, Belgium, Spain, France, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, Alaska, Panama Canal, Everglades, Grand Canyon with grandson Simon, and Missouri with granddaughter Ruth.

She worked as the Rabbi's assistant for 15 years at Temple Sinai in Oakland, was co-chair of the hospitality committee there for many years, member of League of Women Voters and Vintage Wives Club, loved her garden flowers, played piano, had great fashion sense, and built and lived in the family home for over 40 years.

Charlotte will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her.

Contributions in Charlotte's memory may be made to Temple Sinai Endowment Fund, 2808 Summit St, Oakland 94609 or to Head-Royce School, 4315 Lincoln Ave, Oakland 94602

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Jan. 9 to Jan. 12, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Charlotte Oppenheimer

5 Entries

Harriett Michael

January 24, 2014

Charlotte was a special friend and I loved connecting with her via a mutual friend who went to Lindenwood with her .She was so terrific and had an impact on me in so many ways.
She kept her health issue private and I know her family is heart broken.

Diane Albracht Benson

January 22, 2014

What a joy to have known Charlotte for the past 30 plus years both as a friend and as her ophthalmologist. Her unfailing courage, curiosity, warmth, enjoyment of her family and friends were what kept her going through good times and those not so good. She regaled all with the wonderful visits with her grandchildren and the accomplishments of her children.
Being entertained by Charlotte and Steve was unforgettable as they were so much fun to be around.
All of us at my office were so saddened to know that we won't have the pleasure of being with such an unforgettable and inspirational lady.
Our hearts go out to you Steve and we send our best love,
Diane and John

Sara Murphy

January 13, 2014

I met Charlotte almost 20 years ago when I moved to San Francisco from Boston. As fate (and a little bit of luck) would have it, I met my new roommate, Laura Oppenheimer-with whom I became fast friends. I'll never forget meeting Laura's Mom Charlotte, her no-nonsense approach, friendly and inquisitive conversation, and of course generosity-as she showed up at our place in “the city” with a car-load full of Costco treasures…even I, being then a new friend of their daughter's, got to be the fortunate recipient of several months' worth of laundry detergent and facial creams.
When Laura moved out of the country, Charlotte and I stayed in touch and our email exchanges about Laura's adventures (and of course we both missed her!) quickly turned into lunch get-togethers, weekend shopping dates, and many more conversations and exchanges about travels, grandbabies-I could always sense the joy she felt with this amazing family she had, and how much she looked forward to each and every visit with them.
Our relationship began as Charlotte being the Mom of one of my closest friends. But over the years she became my friend. I loved spending time with her. I will always remember the twinkle in her eye as we discussed the latest Williams-Sonoma gadget, our new favorite Heath ceramic bowl, restaurant, recipes…you name it we could chat about it. Charlotte was a kindred spirit to me. How lucky I am to have known her. She will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will miss her greatly.
My thoughts, prayers and love are with you Laura, Steve, and Dan.
Sara

Victoria Emmons

January 13, 2014

Deepest sympathy to Steve and the entire family. Charlotte was a beautiful lady and she will be sorely missed.

Gregg & Roberta Pottorff

January 12, 2014

Roberta & I both loved her kitchen. So many interesting doo-dads that had some super-specialized purpose and which we'd never seen before (or since?). Just a lot of happiness and love in that place.
Since discovering Charlotte's extensive collection of kitchen novelty items we have loved trying to stump her by emailing photos of various rare and/or unique kitchen gadgets to see if we could find one for which she couldn't figure out the function. It NEVER happened! We never stumped her in all those years. It was fun trying, though. She was unique and will be missed.

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