Charlene F. Minder

Charlene F. Minder departed this mortal life on July 28, 2025. She was born on September 9, 1964 in New Haven, Connecticut to Robert L. Minder, Sr. and Thomasina Minder. The youngest of four siblings, Charlene entered the world with sass and a fighting spirit. She believed in speaking up for herself and for others. Known for her loving and forgiving nature, she had a way of telling it like it was-often followed by a laugh that could light up a room. Charlene worked for the State of Connecticut until her early retirement due to a kidney failure diagnosis. She was deeply loved by her colleagues, many of whom went out of their way to help make her early retirement possible. Charlene thrived in her work at various group homes, where she cared for clients with compassion, providing them with a safe and supportive environment to grow. She often brought her daughters to "Bring Your Child to Work Day," allowing them to see firsthand her dedication and hard work. Throughout her life, Charlene faced many illnesses, moments that sometimes tested her faith. Yet, even in the face of each challenge, she overcame them with resilience and remained a steady source of comfort for her children, siblings, and extended family. Her ability to put others at ease will be deeply missed. Charlene was super proud of her children. Known to them as "My Mommy", since she was a separate mother to four very different people. My mommy took pride in our hopes, goals and DREAMS. They gave her so much joy. Her encouragement and her ability to get us together when we thought the world would end will be missed. No matter how dark her days were she powered through for her babies. Whether it was riding with her sister for freshmen move in day while taking breaks for dialysis, flying to freshman orientation and having dialysis boxes shipped to the hotel or showing up for commencement right after a hospital stay. She always went against the grain so it was no shock when she said, I'm going to kick leukemia's butt. Her resilience and strength should be studied. Charlene loved cooking and playing Pokeno, which reminded her of her childhood spent upstairs from her beloved grandmother-sneaking food when her mother thought she was on a "diet." That bond with her grandmother was one she treasured forever. She had a special way of checking in just when you needed it most-must have been that "ESPN" she joked about having. Whether offering shelter to a friend of her children or lending a listening ear, Charlene gave her all to everyone, embodying unconditional, agape love. Her bold and vibrant sense of fashion reflected her heart-bright, unapologetic, and full of life. Through it all, forgiveness and faith were the leading principles of her life. Charlene often reminded others to forgive so they could truly enjoy living. Her faith was unwavering, rooted in the belief that God provides, that He will reveal what you need to know, and that He will never leave you in the midst of your storm. Just as James 2:26 "As the body without the spirit is dead, so is faith without deeds is dead." She believed deeply in the power of forgiveness-both giving it and receiving it-and often told her family that holding on to love was far more important than holding on to hurt. Even when life brought challenges, she chose to forgive and move forward, living out the words of Ephesians 4:32: "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Reminding those around her forgiveness was as much a gift to the heart as it was to the soul. Charlene is predeceased by her grandparents, Janie and Austin Jordan; parents, Robert L. Minder, Sr. and Thomasina Minder; her brothers, Robert L. Minder, Jr. and Sydney Freeman; her son, Kenneth M. Brown Jr.; her aunts, Jane 'Tiny' Jordan, Murrell 'Bootsie' Jordan and Elizabeth Bennett (Leroy); Her cousins, Judy Jordan, Austin 'Pumpkin' Jordan; her nieces, Markia R. Jones, Colleen R. Brown, and Kiana Brown; She leaves to cherish her memory her daughters, Erin Brown-Summers, Erika Brown-Hickerson (Rashee), and Ebonee Brown (Brandon); her grandchildren, Christopher, Carsyn, Rashee Jr., Ryan, and Koen; her sisters, Rosilyn Minder, Karen and Sharon Brown; her brother, Thomas Minder (Kimberly); her best sister-friends, Angelina Outing and Beanchor Mills-Liggins (Greg); Bonus Daughters Adeva Minder, Brittany Odom and Amorrette Weeks; God Children, Harmony Jones and Natasha Outing; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends-too many to list, but all dear to her heart.