
Charlotte Wisneski, 78, Educator
Woodstock, CT – Charlotte “Kit” Wisneski, an educator and private school owner in CT for 43 years, died on June 30 at the Village at Waterman’s Lake in Greenville, RI, a private care facility. She was 78 and had been a resident of the Village for 18 months. Her husband of 45 years, Richard Wisneski, was at her side.
Mrs. Wisneski spent many years in the Woodstock and Putnam School systems, taking early retirement from Putnam after 26 years to start her own private early-childhood school in Woodstock in 1989. Mrs.Wisneski was Directress and teacher at Seton Montessori School until her ultimate retirement from teaching in 2003.
As an educator, Mrs. Wisneski stressed the basic foundations of education and the belief that an environment conducive to learning was more important than any specific curriculum. She embraced the Montessori Method late in her career, which stressed the need for “young children (to be) given freedom in an environment prepared with materials designed for their self-directed learning activity.”
Charlotte M. Ryan began her teaching career in Wallingford, CT in 1955 after briefly joining a Catholic religious order but leaving before final vows. From 1961 to 1963, Mrs. Wisneski was one of the first teachers in the newly-formed US Air Force Department Schools Program and served in the 7135 School Group in England and France. It was during her time in France that Mrs. Wisneski met her future husband, Richard, of Middletown, CT. They married in 1965.
After 2 years in the Woodstock school system and a five-year sabbatical to raise her children, Mrs. Wisneski joined the Putnam school system in 1972 as a kindergarten teacher and stayed for 26 years.
In 1989, Mrs. Wisneski opened Seton Montessori School to local fanfare and packed classes. The last students graduated upon her retirement in 2003.
Before falling ill, Mrs. Wisneski was an avid runner and bicyclist. She was a communicant, lector and Eucharistic minister at St. Stephen’s Parish in Quinebaug, where she was also married, confirmed and received first communion as a child. Her ties to the parish began with her grandfather, who helped lay the foundation for the church’s altar.
Mrs. Wisneski was a 1949 graduate and National Honor Society member of Bartlett High School in Webster, MA where she lettered in field hockey, basketball, and softball. She held a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the Diocesan Teacher’s College in Hartford, and Masters degrees in Education and Early Childhood Education, both from Worcester State College.
Charlotte Wisneski leaves her husband, Richard, her daughter Trina Flaherty, grandson Sean Flaherty, her son Danny Wisneski, daughter-in-law Jill Clark and granddaughter Catherine Wisneski.
In her memory, the Wisneski family has created the Charlotte M. Wisneski Memorial Scholarship Fund in conjunction with the KIN foundation, a non-profit entity. The fund will award full or partial scholarships to qualified CT high school seniors from the community who would otherwise not be able to afford a college education, provided they elect to choose an education major with the intention of becoming a teacher. For more information or to donate to the fund, go to cmwscholar.com or e-mail danny.wisneski@ge.com.
Calling Hours at the Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church Street, Putnam, CT are Tuesday, July 6th and Wednesday, July 7th from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and Thursday, July 8th from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. A funeral mass will begin on July 8th at 11:00 a.m. in Saint Stephen Church, 130 Old Turnpike Road, Quinebaug, CT. Burial will follow in North Woodstock Cemetery, Rte 197, Woodstock, CT.
Emily Petterson
My sincere condolence for your loss. She will be missed.
Alphonse & Jean Russo
Dick, Trina, Danny & famiy, It is with ‘deepest sorrow’ that we send this message to each of you. Our world will never be the same without Lottie in it. All the times we were ‘fortunate enough’ to spend with Lottie over the past many years, Al since childhood, myself since the early 1960’s, she was a true friend and a delight to be with. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you in the days ahead. May our Heavenly Father, the One she prayed to throughout her life, embrace and keep her in His eternal home, where one day we would all hope to join her. With sympathy, Al & Jean
Kathryn (Russo) Yager
Dick, Trina & Danny: so sorry for your loss. A very beautiful description of her life here on Earth. Lottie touched so many people’s lives. I unfortunately won’t be able to make the funeral services, but will be saying prayers up here in Vermont. She will be missed. I’m sure got a warm welcome at the gates of heaven. Love, Kathryn
Kim Morse-Laroche
Trina,
My heart felt condolence to you and your family on the passing of your mom. I know she touched many lives and I hope you find comfort in all of our prayers. Be Well my friend.
Roger Wood
Dick,
Having known you for so long, my friend, you and Charlotte are inseparable in my mind, my heart, and my friendship.
You have lived your life with a deep and abiding Love for Charlotte and your children.
The love is still there and lives within you Danny, Trina, Katie and Sean.
My heartfelt grief for your loss goes out to you, Danny, and Trina.
The Shea Family
We are all so sorry to hear of Charlotte’s passing. She taught our son Connor at Seton Montessori in 2000-2001. She was a brilliant woman with many talents.
May warm memories sustain you in this time of grief.
Lorel and Tim Shea and family
Barbara Poirier
A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops
– Henry Brooks Adams
Charlotte was such a gifted teacher, and a real childrens advocate.
Our deepest sympathy,
Darrell, Barbara and boys