She was born to the late Andreas and Antonia (Ritter) Bauner on March 29, 1931, in Frankfurt, Germany. She married the late John D. Charles in 1953, and they lived in Rockdale, Texas, Massena, New York, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Chillicothe, Ohio, before retiring to The Woodlands, Texas, in 1994. John died in 2003, and in 2008 Lisa moved to The Terrace at Clear Lake, Webster, Texas, after a small stroke.
Lisa was a lifelong homemaker who volunteered with Meals on Wheels in Massena and as an election official in The Woodlands. She enjoyed traveling and took many trips with her husband and, after his passing, with her family and friends, including two Hawaiian cruises, a road trip to Branson, Missouri, and an eightieth birthday cruise with her family from Houston to Cozumel, Mexico.
Lisa tried never to limit her lifestyle even after breast cancer in 1965, and with osteoarthritis and small strokes later in life. Gardening was her passion, and weeds were her nemesis. Her lawn and flower beds formed a pastoral retreat that was often the envy of her neighborhood.
Her musical tastes ranged from baroque classical and Strauss waltzes to country and western, and she enjoyed exploring every variety of ethnic food.
Lisa is survived by her sons John B. and David L. Charles, their wives Kathleen and Barbara, five beloved grandchildren, one adorable great-grandchild, and an extended family that will always remember her loving thoughtfulness.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Cancer Society and to organizations that support military veterans.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 11, at the Bay Area Unitarian Universalist Church, 17503 El Camino Real, Houston (Webster), Texas, 77058 (281-488-2001). A catered lunch will be followed by inurnment at 2:30 p.m. at Forest Park The Woodlands Cemetery.
