PEPOY, Charlotte

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona - 04/06/2010 Charlotte Pepoy passed away March 28, 2010. She was born in Ohio in 1923. Charlotte and her three sisters were raised in Cleveland during the Great Depression. She was an avid roller skater. In fact, roller skating was how she met Edward Pepoy. Charlotte and Ed were married in 1943. During World War II Ed served in the U.S. Navy and saw heavy action in both the North Atlantic and Pacific theaters. Charlotte worked in various and interesting war-related jobs. One memorable position was a short stint in an ill-fated munitions factory. She and her sister Betty both resigned shortly before this facility blew up. After the war, Charlotte, Ed and their young son packed their belongings in an old Studebaker and drove "way out west" to a small town in the desert called Phoenix. There were no interstate highways at that time. It was a long, slow, hot, adventurous drive across a country much different than today's. When they finally arrived, the city limits of Phoenix extended way out to 24th Street. Their first home was located outside the city limits, "out in the boonies" on 30th Street and Palm Lane. In 1960 they moved even farther east to the small, quaint town of Scottsdale. She is survived by two children, Guy Pepoy and Renee Pepoy and one granddaughter Vanessa Pepoy. She is also survived by three sisters Betty Rottas, Ellen Hospi and Carol Burchinal. She has been blessed with many beloved nieces and nephews. Most of her adult life, Charlotte was a business woman and later a visionary entrepreneur. She worked in the insurance industry for many years. In 1974, along with her husband and best friend Ed, they took a huge risk. They sold their very nice, comfortable home in Scottsdale. They also sold many possessions and moved up to Lakeside in the beautiful White Mountains. Moving to the White Mountains was a dream fulfilled. They started a small business, an RV and mobile home park. Through the years Charlotte and Ed worked hard, took many more risks and developed their business into a nice place for friendly people to live and retire. Charlotte and Ed, married for 60 years, were best friends and a loving couple that enjoyed camping, travel, roller skating, ice skating on the local lakes and square dancing. Charlotte leaves a legacy of a life well lived, many old friends and a loving family. Her kindness, quiet generosity, and unique personality will he missed. "Our world has become a shade less interesting." Please contact her family for information about the upcoming life celebration of Charlotte.