Charlotte Irving Lindsey

Charlotte Irving Lindsey

KENT — Charlotte Irving Lindsey, 89, of Kent, passed away peacefully at her new home on Cape Cod on Dec. 2, 2023. A gifted wood carving artist, skilled drug and alcohol counselor, admired second grade teacher, and revered volunteer extraordinaire, Charlotte was a woman of many talents. She was a cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, sister in-law, and recent widow of her husband of 45 years, Richard “Dick” Lindsey.

A Journalism major at Boston University, Charlotte nimbly employed those skills in many capacities throughout the years as a proficient relationship-builder. No matter the locale, many people she met walked away with a new friend. Several Appalachian Trail hikers likely still remember her generosity of a tasty meal and hot shower at their home on Main Street. Her second grade students from 60+ years ago, many of whom she kept in contact with over the years, shared sentiments such as, “she made learning natural and fun,” and stories of how she made them feel valued while infusing the love of learning. Her counseling colleagues remembered her as compassionate and caring with clients.

One of the things Charlotte was most proud of was her long sobriety and subsequent career as a drug and alcohol counselor after getting sober at the age of 50. Her message to many in the throes of addiction was that it’s never too late. Right to the end, she modeled not being afraid to start something new.

Not one to shy away from adventure, some of Charlotte’s fondest memories were when she and her beloved husband, Dick, would say, “Yes” to something new like moving to Maine for several years; traveling for months in a borrowed pop-up camper across the Trans-Canada Highway and then winding their way home through the United States; or adopting Luke, Beau, and Rosie, her treasured donkeys. In her late-60’s, having survived lung, breast, and skin cancer all at once, she wrote a letter that began, “Dear Intrepid Women…” to five fellow cancer survivors — all women from Kent — inviting them to join her for a high ropes course adventure. With her friends by her side, she courageously wrangled her fear of heights, donned a harness, climbed 30+ feet into the trees and cables where she proudly and successfully navigated the aerial challenge course.

Despite growing up in Darien, she considered Kent her hometown having summered there on her grandfather’s farm in South Kent since she was a toddler and moving to Kent full time after college. Serving the town in a variety of capacities brought her great pleasure. Some of her service included the Veterans Memorial Committee (and co-authoring a book called, “One Small Town in World War II,” with Fran Johnson about Kent’s contribution to the war), Kent Garden Club, Kent Historical Society, and the Kent Center School Scholarship Fund (to which she brought the idea for The Chocolate Fest). Charlotte and Dick were also members of a local Unitarian Fellowship and enjoyed many community activities.

The daughter of the late James E. and Cecile (Cottrell) Irving, Charlotte leaves five children, Polly Goddard (Andy); Melissa Makris; Constance Hedden (Don); Elizabeth Tobin; and William R. Tobin, III (Terry); three step-children, James Lindsey; Jennifer Lindsey; and Katherine Dunn; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, her brother Walter Irving (Pam), sisters in-law Claire Irving (Bill) and Shari Adams (Rob) as well as many nieces and nephews, and her uncle, Griggs Irving. She was predeceased by her brothers William C. and Robert M. Irving, her parents, and her husband, Dick.

In her memory, donations are welcome at: Kent Center School Scholarship Fund where a scholarship in memory of Charlotte & Dick will soon be created so please be sure to designate donations in memory of Charlotte and/or Dick Lindsey: www.kcssf.org/support.html or PO Box 794, Kent, CT 06757 or Kent Historical Society www.kenthistoricalsociety.org/memberships/become-member/ (scroll to bottom of membership page) or PO Box 651, Kent, CT 06757.

A Celebration of Life will be held later this year in Kent.

Latest News

A scenic 32-mile loop through Litchfield County

Whenever I need to get a quick but scenic bicycle ride but don’t have time to organize a group ride that involves driving to a meeting point, I just turn right out of my driveway. That begins a 32-mile loop through some of the prettiest scenery in northern Litchfield County.

I ride south on Undermountain Road (Route 41 South) into Salisbury and turn right on Main Street (Route 44 West). If I’m meeting friends, we gather at the parking area on the west side of Salisbury Town Hall where parking is never a problem.

Keep ReadingShow less
Biking Ancramdale to Copake

This is a lovely ride that loops from Ancramdale north to Copake and back. At just over 23 miles and about 1,300 feet of elevation gain, it’s a perfect route for intermediate recreational riders and takes about two hours to complete. It’s entirely on quiet roads with little traffic, winding through rolling hills, open countryside, picturesque farms and several lakes.

Along the way, you’ll pass a couple of farmstands that are worth a quick visit. There is only one hill that might be described as steep, but it is quite short — probably less than a quarter-mile.

Keep ReadingShow less
Taking on Tanglewood

Aerial view of The Shed at Tanglewood in Lenox, Mass.

Provided

Now is the perfect time to plan ahead for symphonic music this summer at Tanglewood in Lenox, Massachusetts. Here are a few highlights from the classical programming.

Saturday, July 5: Shed Opening Night at 8 p.m. Andris Nelsons conducts the Boston Symphony Orchestra as Daniil Trifonov plays piano in an All-Rachmaninoff program. The Piano Concerto No. 3 was completed in 1909 and was written specifically to be debuted in the composer’s American tour, at another time of unrest and upheaval in Russia. Trifonev is well-equipped to take on what is considered among the most technically difficult piano pieces. This program also includes Symphonic Dances, a work encapsulating many ideas and much nostalgia.

Keep ReadingShow less
James H. Fox

SHARON — James H. Fox, resident of Sharon, passed away on May 30, 2025, at Vassar Brothers Hospital.

Born in New York, New York, to Herbert Fox and Margaret Moser, James grew up in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. He spent his summers in Gaylordsville, Connecticut, where he developed a deep connection to the community.

Keep ReadingShow less