TREKAS, Charlotte (Chickie)

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 03/06/2015 Charlotte “Chickie” Trekas, 86, a modern-day Wonder Woman, entered into rest Feb. 23, 2015, in Gilbert. In life she was a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend to so many. Charlotte, or “Chickie” as she would be known, was born March 7, 1928, in Gladstone, Mich., to Charles Beck and Emma C. Beck. The adventurous Chickie would move West in the 1960s with her husband, Gerald “Jocko” Trekas, and four children and settled in the sleepy little town of Snowflake. Her later years were spent in Deer Creek Village, a peaceful little village near Payson. For Chickie, her physical life may be over, but her story is far from over. A little bit of her adventurous spirit was passed on to anyone she knew. Chickie could fish, hunt and cook up a stellar meal in a single day, all this with a smile and genuine love. When someone was in need, it was Chickie to the rescue. She did this throughout her physical life, never expecting anything in return. This was the Chickie way. An avid baker in her home, Chickie was known as a baking goddess, her creations from the oven were a gift of pure baking goodness. She could come up with a dessert out of nothing and could easily rival any chef on Food Network. This was not the extent of her talent, Chickie was known for her skill as a seamstress and creator of hand-crafted and beautiful quilts. These talents were learned from her grandmother, Lucier, whom she lived with for a time. With a good heart, Chickie raised her children with a love that is currently being passed down and will be passed down from generation to generation. A devout Catholic, her faith became her words, her kindness and selflessness will be remembered by all. Although Chickie’s health declined in later years, her spirit and captivating smile remained intact till the very end. God truly blessed us by this humble woman. She will be missed with a heavy heart. Her passing is a void that can’t be filled and shouldn’t. The sorrow of her passing can only be comforted by our happy memories of her and the presence of her spirit. The sorrow is worth it, the real sorrow would be never knowing Chickie, she lives on through her family. Over her lifetime, she has planted seeds that will grow for generations. Imagine that for a moment, she is not here in a physical sense, but is here in spirit and the memories she left behind. Do not weep tears of sadness for her, but tears of joy. She is with God, she is with her husband Jerry and all those who passed before her. She no longer suffers any pain and dwells in tranquility with eternal life. “You will be missed, until we meet again, we will cherish you in our hearts forever.” Chickie is survived by her brother, Marley Beck; sisters Grayce E. Etchen and Janet Elson; children Jonas J. Trekas, Clara L. Settle, Becky M. Hebert-Trekas and Tina L. Myers; grandchildren Tammy Knight, Clay Settle, Jane Powers, Lily Settle, Ace Trekas, Jason Trekas, Buddy Hale, Tiffany Hale, Jena Magley and Randi McCarthy; and 22 great-grandchildren.