Charlene S. Trochta

Saturday morning, July 24, 2021, Charlene Sylvia Trochta (Stavinoha) peacefully left us to continue her journey to Everlasting Life. Surely, she arrived to “shouts of joy” from those who awaited her coming.

Charlene was born at home on December 31, 1931, in Needville, Texas. She was looking forward to celebrating her 90th birthday. She was grateful to have lived almost 69 years with her loving and devoted, husband, Joseph F. Trochta. They were married September 20, 1952 and traveled the world with Joe’s career as a pilot and officer in the United States Air Force. Charlene loved geography and places, cultures and people so she adapted well to this life and made friends wherever they went. She took great pride in having traveled to all seven continents.

Charlene graduated from Lamar High School in Richmond, TX. She continued with a career in Education with a BA from U of Texas, where she met and married Joe. Later Charlene achieved a Master’s Degree in Special Education from the University of Hawaii. Most important, however, was Charlene’s Montessori Training through Association Montessori Internationale {AMI} which enriched her life forever. This was the world where Charlene blossomed, thrived, mentored, and graced the lives of so many young children, teachers, and parents. Charlene was a directress in Montessori schools in NYC, Japan, and Hawaii. She co-founded a school in Edwardsville, Illinois with her good friend Mary Beth McGivern. After Joe and Charlene retired in Austin, Texas, she founded the Casa Montessori Child Development Center in 1982. Charlene loved her years as “Director/Teacher” at Casa. She was ever grateful to Martha Winters for her long-time friendship and valued assistance at Casa which continues to provide a rich learning environment for children.

Charlene was not only a founding member of North American Montessori Teachers’ Association, she

was also a member of the Association Montessori Internationale Advisory Board based in Amsterdam. “She embodied an optimism for life through creating a better world for children and an enjoyable family life for parents.” Lynne Lawrence, Ex. Director AMI.

Charlene loved family. Those who will dearly miss her are the “love of her life” Joe, her sister, Patty Thompson (John with Andrew, Mark, Brett and Wynne - in Canada) and her brother-in law, Robert Trochta (Christina Tornelli (Carlos) and children, Isabella, Alessandra; Joseph Lancaster, (Dori) and Alana; Mary Kathleen Schliemann (Kurt) and Theodore and Josephine). Charlene is also survived by many loving relatives and countless lifelong friends. Charlene was predeceased by her parents, Sophia (Kneitz) and Charles Stavinoha and Joe’s parents, Pauline (Erdelt) and Joe Trochta.

Joe is grateful for all the help and care Charlene and he received from Texas Home Health Care, Mary Mann ANP-BC and devoted helper, Claudia.

Services have been entrusted to Weed Corley Fish Funeral Homes of Austin, TX. Prayers will be held at the funeral home on August 4th at 6 p.m., followed by visitation. Funeral services will be at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Austin on August 5th at 10 a.m., presided by Msgr. Bill Brooks. Interment will be at Green Lawn Cemetery in Rosenberg, TX at 3 p.m. the same day.

Charlene’s Funeral Mass will be live streamed. Link is https://vimeo.com/event/1171133 (no passcode). The video will also be archived and available for later viewing.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to your favorite charity or Casa Montessori, 404 #B Atlanta Street, Austin, TX 78703.