Charlotte K. Brunetto Gloversville - Charlotte (Char) Brunetto (80) of Gloversville passed away peacefully on April 11th, 2024 after succumbing to complications following an illness.
Born Charlotte Kathleen Wassel to the late Helen and Edward Wassel, of Amsterdam, NY, Char graduated from Amsterdam High School before she went on to attend Oneonta State College where she met Joel Thomas Brunetto, who became her husband of 61 years. Together they would return to their hometowns and start a family while they pursued their shared dream of teaching. Charlotte taught in the Johnstown School District at the start of her career and retired after teaching in the Mayfield Central School District, altogether 27 years. In her teaching role, Charlotte went on to mentor, coach, and guide the students who passed through her classroom. Her love and dedication of working with children reached far past the classroom walls when she served as Sunday School Teacher, Summer Recreation Theater Arts Director and founder and coach of the Mayfield Precision Team, just to name a few. This also held true with her friends from both high school and college, who continued to call her "Charlie" over the years.
Notably, Charlotte forged bonds with the staff, students, and the families of both schools that far surpassed her time at either district.
Charlotte is predeceased by her parents, Helen and Edward Wassel, her beloved in-laws: John and Rotha Brunetto and her brother and sister-in-law: Paul and Karen Wassel.
Many have reached out expressing how Charlotte was a true mother figure to them. However, those of us who call her wife, mom, grandma, sister, or aunt, consider ourselves most blessed. She is survived by her husband, Joel T. Brunetto, as well as her children: Paul (Julie) Brunetto, Scott (Marianne) Brunetto, Jay (Becca) Brunetto, Beth (Jake) VanEvery, Jill (Zack) Decker, Nathan (Patrice) Battey. Her grandchildren are Maya, Una, Elyssa, Elaina, Jaxon, Milania, Harrison, Quran, Ashley, Natalie, Emmanuel, and a new grandchild, due in July. Her brothers, Louis (Dianne Emmick) Wassel, and Peter (Linda) Wassel, as well as several nieces, nephews, step grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and extended family on the Brunetto and Wassel family trees.
More than anything, Charlotte had the rare gift of truly "hearing" others whether they were a beautiful waitress - well into her 30's - who still recognized their beloved kindergarten teacher or an angel who once whispered to her, "look at the water" to save a child from drowning. Charlotte loved, listened, and noticed the others who most of us would not have; her heart was rare and beautiful.
It seems only fitting that Charlotte will continue to teach and educate by having her body donated to the Albany Medical School's Pathology Program. In honoring Charlotte's wishes, a celebration of life rather than a funeral service is planned for family and friends this summer. Details will follow at a later date.
In the meantime, those wishing to honor Charlotte's memory should carry on some of her favorite things: walk barefoot, wear your hair wild and untamed, have a margarita (straight up, with salt) or a black Russian, put your toes in the water every chance you get, read several books at once, never stop teaching others, support the arts, hand write a letter to someone, send a long text message, never outgrow coloring, always draw snow people (not snowmen), hug a tree, pop bubble wrap, play with playdough, wear pink lipstick & nail polish, listen to your angels, and place the "Brunetto star" on everything you can.