Charlie Harkness

Charlie Harkness, age 76, of Ormond Beach, Florida, passed away on Tuesday, August 13, 2024.

Charlene Marie Harkness or Charlie as she’s fondly known died peacefully in her sleep during early morning hours on August 13th surrounded by her children and her beloved fur baby. Charlie was born on December 31, 1947, in Eaton Rapids, MI, to Richard James and Crystal Matilda Harkness, their only child. Her early years were spent on a farm helping her Dad with the animals, her favorite being a beautiful Holstein-Friesian cow Charlie named Jersey. These farm days also sparked her love for cooking and baking, learning from the very best, her Mom.

At the age of 9, Charlie moved to Ormond Beach, FL, where she would spend the rest of her life. She attended Osceola Elementary where she met her life-long bestie, Johnette. She graduated from Seabreeze High School in 1966. She often bragged to her children as being voted the ‘most athletic female’ by her peers. She was the life of the party and made several friends at school and throughout her life.

Shortly after graduating Charlie moved to Canada where she had a brief marriage and became a mother to Christy Marie. Soon after she moved back to Florida as a single Mom and with the support of her parents she began nursing school graduating in 1978 from Daytona College. Her nursing career started at Halifax Hospital in the Psychiatric Ward, which she loved. Unfortunately, her career ended all too soon with a life changing diagnosis of severe fibromyalgia. Though disabled she would always “press on” and make the best of her life!

One night while going to a movie solo on Beach Street she met a handsome man named Bob on a park bench; sparks flew and marriage quickly followed. Charlie and Bob became proud parents to Tammy, Jamie and Trey. Having been an only child, Charlie always wanted her home to be full of children laughing and loving life. They built a home together in Ormond Beach on the same street as Bob’s parents and brother. Dawn and Deana, Bob’s older daughters who were living in New York moved down and the home was complete with 5 daughters and the youngest, “the boy.” Charlie loved having a home full of children. She cooked every night and even encouraged her children to come prepared to the dinner table with worldly facts to share and would have pop quizzes during dinner. Charlie’s home was always full of love, joy, dancing and laughter. It was even a haven for all the children in the neighborhood.

Her passion for animals started with Jersey as a child and continued all the days of her life. She always had at least one dog and even fostered dogs at the end stages of their life. She loved to play board games, card games and online word games and did so quite competitively. She enjoyed watching the Summer Olympics, Golden Girls, Star Trek, talk shows and Jeopardy every evening. She had the gift of gab and would speak to anyone and everyone in life. She was incredibly understanding and accepting of others. Her advice would generally end with “this too shall pass.”

Her children and friends were her absolute favorite in life with Disney running a very close second. To her grandchildren she was called Grandma Disney! She spent countless hours in the theme parks and camping in Fort Wilderness with one of her best friends, Jeanne. She even spent a few years working as a cast member in a few of their stores. Her home was heavily decorated with Mickey Mouse from the upholstery to the dinnerware.

Charlie is survived by 3 daughters Christy, Tammy, Jamie (Jason) and 1 son Trey (Ann), 9 grandchildren Felicity, Christian, Sebastian, Breezy (John), Travis, Ethan, Emily, Quinn, Corey and 1 great grandson, Blake and her “sister-cousin” Raelyn (Julian), and lifelong best friend, Jeanne. She is predeceased by her parents Richard and Crystal, and her friend of 70 years, Johnette.

Her Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, August 18th beginning at 12:30 pm, service will immediately follow at 1:30 pm at Volusia Memorial Home & Park in Ormond Beach.

We’d love all in attendance to honor Charlie by wearing Mickey Mouse or Disney attire and to dress casually