Charlotte Mitchell

Charlotte Mitchell (nee Mendelsohn) -- (09/23/1937 - 09/30/2025) of Orange passed away peacefully at the Milford Health and Rehabilitation Center in Milford. She was born and raised in New Haven to George Mendelsohn and Dorothy Mendelsohn (nee Casher). Charlotte attended Vassar College and enjoyed working at the Yale Child Study Center and teaching Sunday School at Congregation Mishkan Israel in her youth. Charlotte was an avid reader, a devoted follower of world events, and passionate about public affairs and American history and politics. A lifelong Democrat, she nonetheless sought to understand all sides of an issue and engage those with different perspectives from her own. With the heart of a teacher, Charlotte was distinguished by her unceasing empathy and optimism and belief in the power of ideas, and idealized those who lived a life of service to others. She loved to quote Rabbi Hillel: "If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, then when?" She looked forward to her morning cup of coffee, catching up on world news, and solving the daily newspaper Sudoku in pen. Charlotte was a lifelong dog lover who was rarely without a canine companion sitting beside her. She was also a skilled knitter, gardener, and cook, as well as devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Charlotte is survived by her sister Sara Burns of Memphis, TN and brother Herbert of West Palm Beach, FL; sons Jeffrey of Westport, Roderick of Orange, and Derek of Washington DC; grandsons Zachary (Annika) of Greenwich and Eli of Westport; and great-grandson Jack and great-granddaughter Juliet of Greenwich. There will be a graveside service on Friday, October 3, 11am, at B'nai Jacob Memorial Park, 200 Wintergreen Avenue, New Haven, CT.