Charlene was born in Chicago, IL on November 1, 1941 to Tony and Arline Petrovics. Her father moved the family to the Rio Grande Valley in 1949, seeking a better life away from the big city. He owned and operated a country grocery store in Harlingen for many years until his retirement.
Charlene was raised and educated through elementary schools in Harlingen, TX, and through high school in San Benito, TX. While her parents were quite busy at the grocery store, Charlene became a committed housekeeper and caretaker for her four younger brothers.
In 1959 she married Donald McCoy, an Air Force Lieutenant stationed at Harlingen Air Force Base. She was a supportive and proud Air Force wife and enjoyed accompanying her husband to his various assignment locations. Charlene was a devoted mother who supported her two daughters in all their endeavors. She was an active Girl Scout leader for several years and guided her daughters through First Class status.
Upon her husband’s retirement from the Air Force at Los Angeles Air Force Station in 1979, the family returned to Texas. With their daughters off to college at Texas A&M, Charlene began volunteer work at San Antonio Medical Center. Her supervisors, colleagues and patients liked her so well that she was awarded an employed position managing a reception office covering several clinics.
In 1996, Charlene and Don moved to Austin to be nearer grandchildren. They were more easily convinced to move by being promised jobs. Charlene’s medical receptionist experience was valuable as she started many years of work as office manager in her daughter Donna’s dental office.
Charlene enjoyed cross stitching, arts & crafts, traveling, bridge and cooking. She became especially skilled in cross stitching and created beautiful pieces for family members to commemorate important events and locations in their lives. She was a member of the Austin Great Hills Ladies Club where she held several offices over the years.
Charlene is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Donald McCoy, her two daughters, Donna (Chuck) Ruesink and Aline Lisa Anderson, four grandchildren, Jake (Jackie) Ruesink, Jana (Josef) Miller, Cory Anderson, and Kristen (Hayden) Kingston, and one great-grandson, Hayes. She is also survived by two brothers, Anthony (Blanca) Petrovics and Michael (Mary) Petrovics, and many other extended family members.
Charlene was a vibrant and generous person who will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and all who knew her. Arrangements were conducted by Cook-Walden Funeral Home in Austin, with inurnment planned at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio. Visitation will be held at Cook-Walden on Lamar Blvd, April 1, 2023, 2-4pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to a charity of your choice in Charlene's memory. Memorial information, guest book, and condolences can be found at www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com.
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