Charlene D. Lamb, who was known to her many friends as ‘Ching,’ passed away on April 20 in Pacific Palisades. She was 85. ”Charlene was born in Los Angeles, May 9, 1919 to Nell and Charles Driver. Her family moved to Kenilworth, Illinois, where she and her sister grew up. Charlene went to New Trier High School, where she met her future husband, James. She attended Mills College for one year, then tranferred to Colorado College in Colorado Springs. She graduated in 1941 with a B.A. in English. Charlene was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and a 65- year member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. ”On May 16, 1942, she and Jim were married at St. Albans Episcopal Church in Westwood. Years later her daughter, Patty, and granddaughter, Lindsay, would chose the same location for their weddings. As a World War II bride Charlene remained in Los Angeles, close to her parents, who also had moved back, and worked at Douglas Aircraft as a draftsman, while Jim served in the Navy. ”After the war they lived in Redondo Beach and then Brentwood, and had two daughters. In 1952, despite Jim’s successful position as a security analyst, they moved to Oregon and became farmers. Charlene took great pride in her organic garden and along with the orchards and animals, the farm provided everything her family needed to eat. It was difficult work, but Charlene pursued the arduous life as if she had always done it, and what she didn’t know she learned. After four profitable years as organic farmers, they moved to Santa Monica to raise, now, three daughters. ”In 1978, she moved to Pacific Palisades and subsequently her daughters and their husbands did too. Charlene, known as ‘Chama’ to her grandchildren, traveled the world, expertly planning all the historical locations, restaurants and hotels not to be missed. She was an avid reader, intensely interested in history, politics and her country. She loved her friends, entertaining, gardening, sharing stories, and finding coincidental connections between people she met. She was a uniquely genuine lady, gracious, generous, caring, vivacious, fashionable, humorous and intelligent, with a superb memory for details. ”An excellent homemaker, mother, and grandmother, she was deeply devoted to her family. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. ”Charlene was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, James, and her sister, Beatrice Holland. She is survived by her daughters, Sue (husband Jim) McNiel, Sally Lamb, and Patty (husband Jolly) Gissell; grandchildren Lindsay McNiel Commons, Stephen McNiel, Thomas Gissell, Michael Gissell; and many nieces and nephews. ”Donations in Charlene’s memory may be made to St. John’s Health Center Foundation, designated for the Nursing Endowment Fund, 1328 22nd. St., Santa Monica, CA 90404.
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