Charlotte Lombard

Charlotte Ann (Self) Lombard passed away peacefully on December 11, 2011.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Helen Macho Self and Win Self of Spokane.  She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Stewart Lombard; sister Rosemary (Virgil) King of Spokane; brother-in-law Michael (Nancy) Lombard of Hilo, Hawaii; children Erik (Kristen) Lombard of Atlanta, Georgia with grandchildren Emmeline and Madeline, John Lombard of Leavenworth, Jeffrey (Tamra) Lombard of Spokane with grandchildren Win and J.D., and Renee (Jason) Billerbeck of Monroe with grandchildren Kailee and Mariah, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Charlotte was born in Spokane in 1945 and grew up in Odessa and Spokane.  She graduated from Holy Names High School and attended Seattle University.  In 1966 she married Stewart, and they welcomed four children into their family, followed in time by six wonderful grandchildren.  Last year the whole Lombard family gathered for a vacation on the Oregon Coast and Stew, the children and grandchildren will always cherish memories of that week.  Char loved her dogs as part of the family; Scout, her aging golden retriever, had a wonderful time, too. Charlotte’s life was centered on family and friends.  She brought a sense of adventure to every moment, and her creativity brightened the lives of those around her.  Char invented new traditions for every holiday and celebration.  She loved nature and outdoor activities, turning a gardening hobby into a craft that brought happiness to others through her beautiful living   wreathes and hanging baskets, offered at local farmers markets.  Daisies were her favorite flowers, but she also loved the roses, rhododendrons and hydrangeas growing in her garden.    In her last years she took up watercolors and painted serenely lovely seascapes, landscapes and flowers. Memorial Mass at 1:00 pm on Saturday, December 17, 2011 at St. Gabriel Catholic Catholic Church in Port Orchard.    At the time of Char’s passing, the sky was cloudy but, at that moment, a gap opened in the clouds and sunshine bathed her yard and gardens.