Charlotte Fuhrman

It is with great sadness that we convey, that in the early hours of June 18th, surrounded by family, Charlotte “Char” Crowe Fuhrman peacefully began her new life with her Lord. She is now partying with God, the angels and family, and getting all those questions she wanted to ask Him answered. But we have lost our spiritual anchor and pillar of strength.

Char was born in Erie on August 24, 1925, the youngest of Richard and Lucrese (Garrity) Crowe’s six children. In 9th grade, she met this fella named Theodore “Ted” Fuhrman. Neither ever dated anyone else and they married on February 3, 1945. Mom and Dad built a life for us, that was founded on faith, doing your best at everything, love of neighbor and giving back.

Heartbroken are her children, Connie Haibach of Erie, her dear son-in-law, Burt Peterson of Raleigh, NC, Ted Jr. and Rita of Erie, Tim and Ginny of Harborcreek, Chris Pollock, husband Dave of Leander, TX and Terry and Mary Anne of Concord Ohio. Lovingly remembering their GG are 17 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. All GG had to hear was one of the greats say “GG”, and her face lit up with a huge smile. The last surviving member of her family, Charlotte was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ted; and brothers and sisters, Dick Crowe, Fr. Martin Crowe CSSR, Ellie Tiffany, Jerry Crowe, and Kay Fuhrman. She is further predeceased by her daughter, Carol Peterson; grandsons, Eric Peterson, Derek and Bradley Fuhrman; great-grandchildren, Marcus and Matthew Miller; and son-in-law, Gary Haibach.

If you knew Char as either Mom, GG, Maude, or as some of the family called her, the Queen Mum, (due to her love and collection of all things Royal), you knew a woman, who was Godly, highly intelligent, fun loving, inquisitive, creative, a prankster, gracious, and a ferocious opponent in any game she played.

In her 100 years of life, Char has seen and experienced a revolution of change. She was a student at Academy High School when Pearl Harbor was attacked. Char took tool shop and graphic drawing, graduating in 1943. She immediately went to work in building 17 at GE. A year later, she entered the Machine Operator Program, and ran a horizontal milling machine.

Char’s love of learning led her, at the age of 52, to earn an Associate Degree in Accounting from Penn State Behrend. Never fearful, Char would question and correct her professors. She used this skill when she and Dad moved to Florida in 1979, working at Pacific Tomato Packers, as the sales billing coordinator. Never one to be idle, on her return to Erie in 1999, Char was the book keeper for her son-in-law Gary’s insurance business. She travelled weekly to Saegertown for 15 years, working well into her 80’s, doing his books.

Growing up Mom taught us by the following wisdom: School is your work, you will have chores, there are consequences for your behavior, and the most dreaded words, “or else”. And if you are too sick to go to Church you are too sick to do anything else. She and Dad taught by example. They also partied by example. Our home on Rice Avenue was the center. At big picnics, we swam, played Mom’s famous relay games, while Dad would be burning hamburgers and hot dogs, and water balloon contests ended in full blown water fights with hoses and buckets and water coming into the house.

Char had many creative loves. Sewing, needlepoint, and cross stitch, among them. She made dresses for her daughter’s school dances. Always dressed to the 9’s, Char made her whole wardrobe for her first visit to New York City. Each of her children and 17 grandchildren have a needlepoint Christmas NOEL. Christmas hasn’t officially begun until that NOEL goes up. GG also needle pointed 26 Baptismal towels for each of her great-grandchildren. Having learned to play at 35, Char has been passionate about Bridge. Whether playing with family, friends, or duplicate at Mercy Senior Center, she never stopped playing bridge until a year ago. Cribbage, Euchre and Train were other favorites. A voracious reader it was not uncommon for Char to read a book or two a week.

In 1979, Char and Ted moved to Palmetto Florida for the warmth, water, but mostly for the fishing. They developed many friendships, found other bridge groups and enjoyed many hours on the boat fishing together on the canals and bays. They also volunteered at the food pantry. Later they moved to Bradenton. Returning to Erie in 1999, Char has resided at the Cider Mill apartments for the last 26 years. Julie and Randy, we are so thankful for your compassionate care of Mom. You were her friends.

More than anything Char’s relationship with her Lord, framed and defined her life. Growing up Mass, devotions and observance of the liturgical seasons were in our home. Char’s morning and evening prayers centered around her relationship with her Lord. Eucharist was the center of her life, so being a Eucharistic Minister for the homebound at St. Luke’s was an honor she cherished. Per her wishes, her Pyx will be buried with her.

The family wants to especially thank Mom’s special caregivers, Betsy, Jackie and Laurie, who became true friends, as well as Home Instead and Hospice. All of you made it possible for us to keep our promise to Mom that she would die at home.

The family will receive visitors from 3 to 7 pm on Thursday, June 26th at Dusckas Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 2607 Buffalo Rd. Further viewing will be held on Friday, June 27th at St. Luke Church 421 East 38th Street, from 10 to 11 am. The Funeral Mass will follow at 11 am. Burial will follow at Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Char’s favorite charities: Mercy Center for Women, 1039 East 27th Street, Erie PA 16504, St. Patrick’s Haven, 239 East 12th Street, Erie, PA 16501 or St. Luke/Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church Food Pantry, 421 East 38th Street, Erie, PA 16504. Condolences may be sent to www.dusckasfuneralhomes.com.