Charlotte passed away peacefully of natural causes March 19, 2016 in Portland, Oregon, surrounded by her loving daughter Gretchen Johnson and dear son-in-law Hutch Johnson. Charlotte was born in Seattle to Alma and Ken White. She married Arnold T. (Arnie) Challman, on April 1944, divorced in 1979, and remarried Sheldon H. (Shel) Helmick, 1984. Charlotte was predeceased by her first husband of 35 years, Armold Challman, and her sister, Jean Howorth. She is survived by her loving husband “Shel” Helmick, dear son Peter Challman, dear son Scott Challman, dear daughter Gretchen Johnson, dear grandchildren Peter (Melissa) Challman Jr., Ben (Molly) Challman, Maureen (Ben) Ryan, Chelsea (Andrew) Witkowski, John Johnson, Melissa Challman and Laura Challman, and dear great-grandchildren Lucy Challman, Ellie Challman, and Declan Challman.

Charlotte attended Roosevelt High School, class of 1939, and Central Washington University, where she earned her teaching certificate. Much to her delight, she was blessed to teach kindergarten in Seattle. Charlotte later returned to Ellensberg, where she completed her undergraduate degree. Her matriculation and commencement were proud moments for Charlotte, her husband and her children. She was active in St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, while living in Los Altos, California and later at Christ Church in Seattle. An avid volunteer with her guild in Seattle, she focused on her lifelong passion of helping children at Children’s Orthopedic Hospital. Above all, “Char” loved to be on her boat and fishing. While living with Arnie and their children in California, they traveled to fish off Orcas Island in Washington, and later, when the family returned to live in Seattle, up the inside passage to Alaska.

In 1984, Charlotte found the second love of her life, Shel Helmick, “the kindest man in my life, not a cross word comes from his mouth”. Char and Shel lived out their active years at her beloved Roche Harbor, where she would say, “when you live on the water, you’re never alone”. A celebration of Charlotte’s life will be held at Seattle Yacht Club, May 20, 2016, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Children’s Hospital.