MY COUSIN CHARLENE

The (very) extended Bebee-Stalcup tribe

That's Charlene in the front row, center

Her sister Lynda Berendson is in her left

My sister Susannah Johnson is on her right

Being old sucks.  In addition to everything else, being old entails watching your contemporaries die.  One of my contemporaries, a particularly important one to me, just died, and it would make me feel better to write a few words about her.

Her name was Charlene (Bebee) Stalcup.  She was my cousin, who lived across the street from me all the years I was growing up.  She was two years my junior.  Charlene was bright, happy, talented, and beautiful.  She had dozens of friends – some of whom I dated in high school, and one of whom I married.  I used to torment her unmercifully – and she would pay me back, in spades.  I owe her lots, not least (with my other girl cousin, Ginger) instrumenting my election as King of the Senior Prom!

Charlene married Ed Stalcup after they met at Redlands University.  Ed was big, handsome, self-confident – a talented athlete.  He could throw a football an unbelievable distance, and he played golf like a pro.

Together Charlene and Ed brought five admirable children into this world.  Curiously, all five were given names beginning with the letter “K”.  (Charlene once remarked that if there had been a sixth one his/her name would have been “Kaboose”).  The Stalcups spent most of their lives in Big Bear, California, where Ed taught English, football, and skiing.  Charlene, in addition to taking care of a large family, established and operated a pre-school for many decades; she is well known and greatly admired for her efforts throughout the community.

Ed died a few years ago, and Charlene had been in poor health for some time.  Nevertheless, she continued to be active in her pre-school until just recently.  She is survived by a huge family (see photo) and a community that grieves at her passing.  She was 83.

Charlene, I’m sorry I punched you so hard with my new pillow boxing glove, all those years ago.  But, of course, then I had to run for my life!