Charlee Jane Charette

On June 15, 2019, just shy of her half birthday, the amazing Miss Charlee Jane left this world
too soon. She was medically complex, and had dealt with more than any child ever should. But
she was strong. So strong. She endured multiple surgeries and procedures, living her first four
months of life in the NICU at Boston Children’s Hospital. Through it all, her feisty personality
managed to shine through. She was wiggly, and cooed and had these adorable little grunts. She
stole the hearts of all her doctors and nurses, and as they can attest, she had the best fashion
sense and wardrobe. In mid-April, she graduated from the NICU to the regular floor and after
ten more long days, on April 29th, she finally came home.

She was perfect. She slept through the night and always woke up smiley. We are not morning
people but the hours of 6-9am soon grew to be our favorite times. You couldn’t be grumpy or
tired when you saw her happy face and got to play on the floor together. May was the best
month of our lives. Though hectic with appointments and follow-ups, she travelled well. She
liked car rides as long as it kept moving, but understandably no one likes traffic. She started PT
and in just a few weeks of working on things, was making amazing progress. She liked to eat
her hands, and grab and hold the rings on her car seat. Though they didn’t win, she loved to
watch hockey with her family and friends and cheer for the Bruins. She liked balloons, reading
books, and toys that made noise. She always loved music; from Dad’s playlists in the NICU, to
silly songs on her play mat, or her very own Pandora station on Mom’s phone. Her favorite thing
was to dance around the house with her dad. It soothed her. She’d know if you stopped to sit or
rock her, she wanted to be up and about until she fell asleep. She always wanted to be a part of
the action. Fighting sleep to hang out with Mom and Dad just a little longer in the evenings,
fighting sedation to make sure she caught our NICU visits, and always wanting to sit facing out
so she could see and be a part of the conversation.

We never did get first words, or distinguishable giggles. She never got to try cheesecake,
though the word made her smile every time. She was just so good. We are all better off for
having gotten to share this world, even just briefly, with her. She will be forever remembered in
the hearts and minds of her family and friends.

She is survived by parents, Christopher and Samantha Charette; grandparents: James and Sharon Silverman and Robert and Carol Charette, all of Methuen; great-grandparents: George and Barbara Henderson of Andover and Elaine Wysocki of North Andover; aunts and uncles: Jeni and Tyler Speck of Bow, NH, Mathew Charette of Methuen, and Stephanie and Michael Jasinski of Methuen. She was blessed to have many extended family members as well: great-great, and great-aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends, that to list them all may take the remainder of print news space.

Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend calling hours Saturday, June 22, 2019 at Cataudella Funeral Home, 126 Pleasant Valley Street in Methuen, from 3:00 – 8:00 PM. A funeral service will be held at 7:00 PM in the funeral home chapel. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress or Boston Children’s Hospital NICU in memory of Charlee.