Charlotte Begun Denny

Charlotte Begun Denny 98 of Tinton Falls, passed peacefully at her home on March 30, 2015 surrounded by loving family. Charlotte was born February 10, 1917 in LaCrosse, Wisconsin to Marie Helena Opheim and Charles Angus Begun. She thrived despite a challenging childhood with the death of her mother when she was seven. Charlotte and her three siblings ( Eva Marie, Charles, and Angus) were then raised by their aunt Laurel during the Great Depression. Charlotte was the salutatorian of her high school class and went on to graduate from what is now the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. She taught first grade in LaCrosse and West Allis. In 1954, she married Allen C. Denny and moved to Fort Atkinson where she became a Mother to his three boys: Robert, Craig, and Rex. She then became the doting mother also of John Todd in 1958. In 1968, the family moved to Watertown, where Charlotte taught first grade at Webster School until 1981. In addition to being an excellent teacher, she was known for hosting a hatching hen in the classroom periodically! She was a life-long reader and loved to share her love of reading with her many students. She earned graduate credits at UW-Whitewater, just shy of her Masters. After losing her husband Allen in 1980, she became even more active in volunteering at the Octagon House, the Watertown Public Library, and the Watertown Senior Center, among others. She also enjoyed traveling and her long-time Bridge Supper Club. After her 90th birthday party, she moved to Tinton Falls, NJ in 2007, near her son John (Sharon). She lived independently for 97 years. Charlotte is survived by two sons: John (Sharon) Denny of Oceanport, NJ; and Rex Denny of Watertown, Wis.; four grandchildren: Julia Denny of New York, NY, Angela Denny of Cedar Grove, NJ, Greg Denny of San Francisco, CA, and Lisa Denny of Oakland, CA; her niece Carol (Eric) Lutker of Palm Coast, FL; her nephew David (Mary) Jensen of Ocean Springs, MS. She was pre-deceased by her husband Allen Caryl Denny, sons Robert and Craig, siblings Eva Marie Jensen and her husband James, Charles Begun and his wife Alice, and Angus Begun. A memorial service is scheduled for 11 am Sunday April at the First Church of Christ Science (in temporary quarters at the Methodist Church during remodeling) Broad Street, Red Bank, NJ. In lieu of flowers, a gift could be made in her name to the First Church of Christ Science in Red Bank, NJ.