Charlotte Ripley, 85, a travel agent, hostess and caterer, mother of four, wife of John "Mike" Ripley for 63 years, and long-time resident of Lordship, died December 17th at Saint Joseph's Manor in Trumbull, Connecticut. Born Charlotte Louise Smith in Burlington, Vermont, in 1921, she was the daughter of Arthur and Charlotte Smith, the only girl in a family of five children. Upon the death of her mother when she was 2, Charlotte was raised by her grandmother, Lottie Ladeaux, near the University of Vermont campus in Burlington, while her brothers grew up on a nearby farm run by their father. Charlotte loved growing up in the city of Burlington, crossing the campus to attend school and music lessons. A weekend on her father's farm was an equally fond memory: milking cows and visiting her four brothers who adored her. In the early years of World War II while working as an accomplished typist in Montpelier, Vermont, Charlotte met and married a handsome young Navy pilot, Lieutenant John P. Ripley. She traveled with him to various posts throughout the US. After the war the couple settled in Norwood, Massachusetts, intending to raise their family there. However, in the early 1950's, a new job for her husband as a corporate pilot based at what is now Sikorsky airport, took the family to Lordship where Charlotte lived until a few years ago. As a young wife, Charlotte organized and enjoyed summertime block parties on Riverdale Drive. These were watched from the rooftop by her children, who had earlier been tucked into bed. Ever industrious, Charlotte with children in tow, was frequently off to an Avon training program or customer visit, a catering job, or at home orchestrating a Tupperware or Lilt gathering to earn some extra income. Mrs. Ripley along with her four children worked at Howie's Drive-In by the airport at various times. But as much as she enjoyed serving up milkshakes and ice cream sundaes to the beachgoers during the summer, she preferred to be at the beach herself. She treasured Short Beach, camping out for the day with the squadron of neighborhood children, soaking up the sun, reading the latest Danielle Steele, and joining the kids to splash in the salt water. Music was always in the air at home. As a young girl, she played the trombone. In later years she rehearsed her own children on their trumpet, saxophone, and clarinet, and played the organ herself. Mrs. Ripley marshaled the family to attend the choir mass at Our Lady of Peace Church on Sundays, where she was a longtime member and participant on various committees including the Ivy League Women's Association. Our Lady of Peace was an integral part of her social life. She was proud that her two of her sons served as altar boys. Mrs. Ripley was a mother and housekeeper to rival Donna Reed. Beds were made in the morning; homework done before Howdy Doody; and chores completed before play on Saturday morning. She instilled in her children the virtues of being polite and well-groomed, with assignments done as best one could. These and other values stood them in good stead and made her proud as time passed. Charlotte hostessed at various restaurants, catered banquets, and enjoyed Shakespeare first-hand as an usher at the former Shakespeare Theater for many years. She would recount to her family how friendly Katherine Hepburn was to everyone, or that one could see the eyes of "John-Boy Walton's grandfather (Will Geer) twinkle," even from the stage. However, it was obtaining her travel agent certification, and subsequently leading or sending friends off on delightful vacations and journeys that became her calling. Charlotte loved to travel the world. She jumped at every opportunity to see new places and people, cruises being a particular delight for her. Winning a sponsored trip to Europe or Mexico was even better. She had an especially warm spot in her heart for Hawaii, where she flew to see her son David be married. Survivors include her husband John, of Stratford, Connecticut, and four children: Tom of Hanover, NH; David of Issaquah, Washington; Christine Ferranti of Stratford; and Steve of Cincinnati, Ohio; along with 11 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Her only living sibling is George Smith of Burlington, Vermont. Funeral services will take place on Thursday, December 21, 2006 at 10:30 am in Our Lady of Peace Church Stratford with a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will be in Union Cemetery. Friends may call on Thursday Morning from 8 – 10 am in the Adzima Funeral Home 50 Paradise Green Place Stratford. In lieu of flowers those desiring to make donations may do so to Our Lady of Peace Church 230 Park Blvd. Stratford, Ct 06615 or to the Alzheimer's Assoc. Fairfield County Chapter 607 Norwalk Ave Norwalk, CT 06851-1758