Charlotte M Rennie

Charlotte M. Rennie, 85, of Pittsfield, MA formerly of Schenectady, passed away, surrounded by her children and grandchildren, at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield on December 8, 2016, after a courageous battle fighting a long illness. Born in Schenectady, she was the daughter of the late DeVere and Mae (Countermine) Grethen. She was a graduate of Draper High School and attended Russell Sage nursing school. Charlotte was employed as a draftsperson in the Government Services Section of General Electric Company in Schenectady. She was the only woman in her department and designed gun turrets for the military. She was also employed as a mica inspector for the Mica Insulator Company in Schenectady, always leaving work with her clothes and hair covered in sparkles. Charlotte was a loving mother and grandmother and was very active with them, including helping her children restore several houses and being an always available babysitter for her grandchildren. She won an award from the Boy Scouts of America for being a Scout Widow. She had a great love for animals and enjoyed life with her pets and the chickens she kept with her brother as a child. She also loved her grandfather's farm and talked about it all the time. She loved to travel. As a family growing up we went on vacation every year and went to Washington DC several times a year. We tested mom and dad's patience for how long we could drive in the car. Later in life mom traveled with her family across the US and to Europe. Charlotte is predeceased by her high school sweetheart and life long husband Henry (Hank) Rennie who died in 2001 and her brother Donald Grethen. She is survived by her loving children Lisa Rose and Greg of Pittsfield, MA; Gregg Rennie and Mary Ellen of Madison, CT and Mark Rennie and Bonnie of Alton, NH. She is also survived by 3 adoring grandchildren Matthew, Daniel and Meghan, two step-grandchildren Brandon and Ashley as well as two nieces, Kim and Donna. Funeral Services for Charlotte will be Tuesday December 13, 2016 at 2 PM at the Bond Funeral Home 1614 Guilderland Avenue Schenectady. A Calling Hour will be 1-2PM prior to the service. Contributions can be made in Charlotte's memory to the Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter 63 Downing Industrial Park Pittsfield, MA 01201.