"I'm the one that's got to die when it's time for me to die, so let me live the way I want to." -Jimi Hendrix

And that she did! Charon grew up the only girl in a houseful of brothers, who undoubtedly must be credited for her ability to fight–for herself, for others and always for the underdog. She forged her own path, which led to a full and colorful life. She experienced her share of heartaches and heartbreaks, but the eternal optimist, she never stopped pouring love into the world.

She was the life of the party, the first in line for the roller coaster and the first to brave a jump into chilly waters. She lived without abandon, eternally youthful, intent on finding the joy in small moments. She was a lover of music, a classical pianist with rock star dreams. From Chopin to Pat Benatar, Snoop Dogg to Linda Ronstadt, the soundtrack of her life was as varied and unique as she was. It's worthy of note that she asked to hear "Für Elise," "Blue Bayou," and "Drop It Like It's Hot" in her final days.

She made a mean potato salad (and bragged that it was the only thing she made over the last 20 years as her husband is a great cook–whose pot roast is apparently "incredible"). She loved a good karaoke night, where she was known to give an energetic and spirited rendition of Heart's "Barracuda." She rode her bike and walked her dogs, spent hours in her garden and hours floating in the sun-warmed gulf waters. She loved gifts–always a better receiver than a giver, often so excited by the thought of a gift that she tricked a child (more than once) to reveal the secret by asking a slew of questions that always began with "Is it bigger than a breadbox?". None of her children knew what a breadbox was and so found the question more of a quandary, but she would persist, ultimately triumphant. As they grew older, her children grew wise to her trickery and could no longer be bested by a breadbox.

She loved deeply and poured love into the world tirelessly, relentlessly, and generations beyond will know her love by the way she taught others to love. Though she is gone, she isn't lost to us. She will be remembered in the song of the canary, the timbre of chimes blown across a breeze, the rainbow prism of light reflected in the afternoon sun and the subtle scent of lilac settled atop spring air.

She leaves behind her beloved husband, Brett Shullenbarger-Englewood, FL; her eldest daughter Casey and husband Mylas (Copeland)–Springfield, IL; her "number one son" Graham and bonus daughter Jade (Custer)–Sarasota, FL; her twin daughters Alyse (Walton)–Bradenton, FL and Molly (Walton)–Englewood, FL; Grandchildren: Aesen and Darby (Copeland); Jayden, Ava and Asher (Custer); Rosa (Cole); her brother Robert Schwartz (Longmont, CO) along with many cousins, nieces and nephews. In addition, she leaves behind a son given up for adoption. She was never able to locate him, but looked for and loved him always. She also leaves behind several friends and neighbors who had become family and whom she loved deeply.

The family will hold a private memorial ceremony. For any so inclined, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made payable to:

Flanzer Trust (note SHH in memo) Second Heart Homes PO Box 3886 Sarasota, FL 34230 Or online at: www.secondhearthomes.org