Charlotte Latour Swanson Otterbein

Born February 8, 1931, the first child of Bertha and Gustaf Swanson. Growing up with her parents, brother Carl, and sister, Natalie, a close-knit family relationship developed. They enjoyed trips to distant relatives and visits with Scandinavian friends. After her father died when she was 9, the family was able to maintain a close relationship despite the restrictions of WWII and the financial difficulties the family endured.

In high school Charlotte developed a close relationship with Arlene McGee and Barbara Fooks and the ABC Girls remained lifelong friends. She was active in 4-H and honed her tailoring and sewing skills that would become a lifelong love of the fiber arts- knitting well into her nineties. She won a statewide tailoring award that resulted in a trip to Chicago for the National 4-H Convention. She graduated Valedictorian from Milford High School in 1948. She was awarded a Hearn scholarship that gave her the means to begin her college education.

She attended University of Delaware with an election to Tassel, an honorary fraternity, and graduated in June 1952 with a Home Economics degree. She started her career as a Home Demonstration agent under the Delaware Agriculture Extension Program, teaching up-to-date household techniques to farm wives. She developed a local radio program under this effort.

After several years of work, she decided to continue her education at UConn where she received her Master’s Degree in Textiles. She became very interested in the psychology of clothing choices which led her to study at Cornell University where she earned her Doctorate in Psychology. She spent the next 5 years working for the Psych Department at Cornell.

During this time she met the love of her life, Keith Otterbein, in 1964. They bonded over shared interests and intellect and quickly fell in love. They nurtured a long distance relationship while Keith was doing anthropological fieldwork in Nigeria and The Bahamas. They married in 1967 and when their son Gere was born in 1971 the three went to the Bahamas together for a year of field work.

Charlotte used her education and skills to become an invaluable editor and assistant to Keith’s academic career and was very proud to be listed as co-author on several of his books. He often noted that without her help, he would not have been the successful professor and author he was. They spent many years in Buffalo where Keith taught for SUNY Buffalo. They bought a small lake house in Cassadega, NY where they enjoyed watching wildlife and attending talks at the famous Chautauqua Institute.

Tired of the harsh Upstate New York winters, they eventually purchased a condo in Folly Beach, South Carolina, where they enjoyed exploring Charleston’s historic homes, dining and sunsets. For several years, they embraced the snowbird lifestyle, spending winters in Folly Beach and summers back in New York. Along the way, they frequently visited niece Susie Friedel and her husband, Bryan, in North Carolina, and those visits grew into a close and cherished relationship over the years.

After the tragic death of their son Gere, they eventually decided to purchase a small, one story historic home in Downtown Apex near Susie and Bryan’s family where they knew they would be looked after. They loved the idea of finally owning and decorating a historic home, and knew this home would suit their long term needs.

During this time, Keith and Charlotte helped raise their granddaughter, Angela, who was their pride and joy. Charlotte took great satisfaction in supporting Angie’s education and helping with her financial needs, believing deeply in the opportunities that education could provide. She was especially proud when Angie earned her Bachelor’s Degree this past spring. When Angie came down to stay and care for her grandmother in her final days, she brought the piece of paper that had meant to much to her grandmother to hold in her hands.

After Keith’s death in 2015 Charlotte moved to Apex full-time where she was beloved by her niece’s friend group who treasured her stories, her memories, and her life experience. She loved spending time with her younger friends, and often bragged that most of her friends were in their 40s and 50s unlike most people her age. She developed a very special relationship with Susie’s best friend Rebecca who started as a household helper and became her “Personal Assistant.” Over the course of eight years, a deep love developed and Charlotte considered Rebecca like the daughter she never had.

Besides her many friends, Charlotte is survived by her granddaughter, Angie Otterbein; her younger brother, Carl Swanson, and his wife, Helen; her niece, Susie Friedel, and her husband, Bryan, and their children, Sam and Charlie, who were like bonus grandchildren to her; her nephew, Chris Swanson, and his wife, Rosio, and their children, Caden and Charlotte, her namesake; and her niece, Ellen Garrity, and her husband, Mario Aguero.

It gives us great joy to know that her later years as a widow were filled with friendships, family dinners, and date nights. She was loved by her village of wonderful neighbors and friends. She was very proud to be considered a “nice old lady” and relished the attention and respect of her community. She left this world in the little home that she loved with her “helicopter niece,” her granddaughter, and her beloved Annie Dog by her side.

She cared deeply about the direction of our country and was passionate about equality, justice, and supporting immigrant communities. In her lifetime, she generously supported organizations whose work reflected these values. In her memory, those who wish to honor her are encouraged to consider a donation to the ACLU, an organization whose commitment to protecting civil liberties and equality was especially meaningful to her.