Charlotte Needham passed away quietly in her sleep on July 15, 2024, after a lengthy courageous battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. After a lifetime of fighting, she has found peace, and begins the next stage of her journey. She is survived by her four children, Debi Plum (husband Stan), Richard Needham, Jr. (wife Jean), Cristopher Needham (wife Merlin) and Jeffery Needham, six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Born in the small town of Roanoke, Virginia, Charlotte nurtured a love of books and learning from the first moment she could read. Due to numerous childhood illnesses it was difficult for her to participate in person at school and with her friends. Books became her escape, her friends, her constant companions. She instilled this love in her children, as she was a shining example of a life long learner.
Charlotte moved to Phoenix when she was in high school, attending Phoenix Union High School, as the climate was a boon to her asthma. She excelled at academics and moved on to Phoenix College, where she met her husband, Richard C. Needham. After graduation they married and he joined the Air Force. While travelling the country due to military transfers, she put her education on hold and raised the family.
However, the education bug never left her and she went back to school and at the age of 46 she graduated from Arizona State University with a teaching degree, with a library specialty. She found a position as the middle school librarian at Granada East School, in Phoenix, and this became her home away from home for over 20 years. While modernizing the library, keeping up with the times and welcoming all children into her safe space, she found the time and energy to earn a Master’s Degree in Library Science from the University of Arizona.
In her retirement the avid basketball fan became a charter season ticket holder of the Phoenix Mercury, attending over 300 games in person over the course of 20 years. She could also be found in front of the television for every televised game of her beloved Arizona Wildcats basketball team. Don’t call during the Wildcat game! Her friends and family knew this well.
Charlotte will be dearly missed by all those who knew and loved her. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at 10 AM at Shadow Mountain Mortuary, located at 2350 East Greenway Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85022. In lieu of flowers it is requested that a donation be sent to the Hospice of the Valley or Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
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