Charlotte Ann Conaway, esteemed educator
Charlotte Ann Conaway, 93, of Greenwood passed away peacefully at the Manor House in Seaford Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018. Charlotte was born in Greenwood Feb. 25, 1925. Following her graduation from Greenwood High School, she attended the University of Maryland and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Education.
Charlotte once commented that she wanted to live to be 100, and although she missed this, we can guarantee that she packed 100 years of living into her 93 years of life. Her career as an educator was a source of great joy and took her on many interesting journeys. Following graduation she worked for four years at the University of Maryland, and then five years as a home economics teacher in Montgomery County, Md.
After this, she worked for the University of Maryland Extension Service as a 4-H Club agent where later she became a state 4-H agent for the university. Her work at the university took her to Wisconsin where she later returned to complete a master’s degree in adult education. Following her employment at the university, she moved to the Baltimore area where she worked for the Maryland State Department of Education developing programs in vocational education to help special needs students graduate job ready. Her final job was with the U.S. Department of Education as a program specialist in vocational education where she was the “go to” expert that Congress relied on as they reauthorized the Perkins Vocational Education Act. Charlotte never sought the spotlight but over the years her work improved the lives of thousands of students. This work involved travel to many states, which she enjoyed immensely, in part because Charlotte loved travel and adventure!
Charlotte’s wanderlust took her to many national and international destinations. A seven-day rafting trip through the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River and fly-fishing in Alaska remained among her favorites.
After many years as a national leader in education, Charlotte retired to one of her favorite spots at the beach in Delaware. Even in “retirement” she remained busy. She continued to share her educational expertise by working as a consultant with teachers around the country in integrating academics with vocational studies. One memorable project included buying and restoring a Victorian house that now sits in the Bethany Beach area. Charlotte cherished her family and friends; she will be remembered for her wonderful, witty sense of humor, wisdom that she was happy to share, and her generous giving.
Charlotte is preceded in death by her father, Charles Hilary Conaway; her mother Virginia Lyons Conaway; her brother William “Bob” Conaway; her sister-in-law Joanna Conaway; and her nephew, Kevin Conaway. She is survived by her nephew Guy Conaway, his wife Marybeth, and great-nephews Drew and Josh, niece (wife of Kevin) Lisa Conaway and her furry friend of 14 years, Dots.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Manor House, 1001 Middleford Road, Seaford, Monday Oct. 29 at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the ACTS Legacy Foundation, Benevolence Fund at www.actsretirement.org/legacy-foundation or mailed to 1001 Middleford Road, Seaford DE, 19973, or Board of Child Care of UMC, 3300 Gaither Road, Baltimore MD 21444.
Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Clarksville Chapel, Ocean View.
Please visit Charlotte's Life Memorial Webpage and sign her online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.
