Charlotte Anne Momsen Klein, born April 29, 1943, lost her three-year battle with ovarian cancer on June 10, 2014, at the age of 71. Charlotte was preceded in death by her parents, Capt. Charles B. Momsen Jr. (USN, ret.) and Helen O’Day Momsen; a grandchild, Orion Angelos; and her beloved husband, Jon Wayne Klein.  Charlotte is survived by her daughter, M. Christine Klein, son-in-law, David A. Hopler, Jr., and grandchildren, Jack (age 8), Joe (age 7), and Aerin (age 4); son, Jon Anthony Klein, daughter-in-law Denise, and grandson, Alex (age 8); daughter, Michelle Klein Angelos, son-in-law, Tom, and grandchildren, Thomas Jr. (12), James (11) and Julie (4); sister Helen Hart Momsen; brother Charles B. Momsen, III, and his wife, Megan; sister-in-law Carol Klein; brother-in-law James Klein and his wife, Terry; and numerous other family members and close friends.

Charlotte was the granddaughter of Vice Admiral Charles Bowers “Swede” Momsen (USN, ret.), the legendary submariner and inventor who oversaw the May 1939 rescue of 33 sailors from the Squalus, the first deep-sea submarine rescue. A proud member of a Navy family, Charlotte led a peripatetic childhood before graduating from George Mason High School in Falls Church in 1961.  After two years of study at what is now George Mason University, Charlotte married her high school sweetheart and true love, Jon Klein, in December 1963. Jon and Charlotte were married for over 48 years until his untimely death on Valentine’s Day 2012.  After a brief career with the telephone company, Charlotte devoted herself to raising her children, Christi and Tony, a calling for which she was spectacularly well-suited. Indeed, Charlotte was a true “child whisperer,” whose company and advice were regularly sought by children of all ages. Charlotte later carried this gift into her role as a foster mother providing a safe and loving home to many children in need, one of whom she adopted. She waited patiently for grandchildren, and they were the culminating and great joy of her life.

Charlotte moved to Winchester in 1979, where she remained for the rest of her life. She and her mother were the proprietresses of Apple Blossom Antiques on Piccadilly Street, where Charlotte’s family and friends gathered each year to watch the Apple Blossom parades. Charlotte cultivated a lifelong passion for antiques, collectibles, and art, developing several areas of expertise. She cared for many dogs and cats over the years; she enjoyed a household full of life. Charlotte was a voracious reader: everything from enormous art books to leather-bound great works of literature to fantasy and mystery pulp novels were found in every room of her house. She had a great zest for home decoration and renovation, and on at least one occasion, knocked down a wall single-handedly. Charlotte was a whiz at jigsaw puzzles, crosswords, and Jeopardy!, and her children greatly enjoyed listening to her play piano.  To the amusement of those who knew her well, Charlotte also harbored a hidden “geek” side. She adored Tolkien, Star Trek and B-sci-fi movies (Mothra was a favorite!). And during the video arcade era, she took wicked delight in playing “rope-a-dope” with the teenage boys who challenged her to a game of Pac-Man: she’d take her turn and play for hours as her would-be vanquishers stood slack-jawed.

Charlotte had a keen intellect, intense loyalty towards family and friends, a great sense of humor, and a smile that lit up the room until the very end. She was friendly, open-hearted, generous, and kind, perhaps best demonstrated when she unhesitatingly marched right into the middle of a busy four-lane road to assist a motorcyclist who had crashed. She loved well, and was well-loved.

The family will hold a Celebration of Life in Charlotte’s honor on Sunday, June 22, from 1:00 to 3:00 at Omps Funeral Home, 1600 Amherst Street, in Winchester. Condolences may be left at www.ompsfuneralhome.com. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, donations in Charlotte’s memory be made to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (www.ocrf.org) or the Blue Ridge Hospice (www.brhospice.org).