Healey, Charlene C.

Charlene Cecilia Healey, 73 years old, of Stoughton, passed away on October 28, 2022.

“Charlie” was born on July 9, 1949 in Norfolk, Virginia, to William and Lillian Bernhardy as a set of twins. Beloved wife to Robert “Bob” Healey. Mother of the late Nicole Healey, Michelle Raymond and her husband, Shawn, of Stoughton, and Bobby Healey and his wife, Randi, of Southborough, along with her five grandchildren: John Sellew, Tyler Healey, Shawn Sellew, Chance Healey and Morgan Hunter.

Charlene’s early years were spent growing up in Cuba, where her father was stationed until they witnessed the fall of the island to Castro. Her parents and three sisters — Roberta “Bobbie” Bernhardy-Maddox, Kathy Squires, and her twin Fredaline “Freddie” — then relocated Stateside to Norwood, where she would go on to attend Norwood High School and met the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Healey. She spent the ensuing next couple years warding off any woman batting an eyelash at her man like a gold glove boxer. He was hers. And everyone knew it.

They were married on November 27, 1967, in Hawaii while Bob was on leave from deployment in the Vietnam War. This November would have been their 55th anniversary. They had three children, Nicole Healey, Michelle Raymond and “Lil” Bob Healey. Somehow while raising her three children Charlene managed to carve out time so as to never miss her bowling league night with her husband, or one of his races. She could be found cheering for Bob from the stands with her kids in tow as loud as she could even with some “choice language,” or smashing rival drivers’ windshields in the pits for dirty driving against her man.

When it came to her children, she somehow never missed a sporting event where her kids were playing. From town games to traveling around the state, she could be found in the stands. Later when she had grandchildren, she would go and watch her grandchildren’s baseball, basketball, and some of the ice hockey games, bringing that same vigor, and sometimes language that would make a pirate captain blush, so her family knew she was in attendance. She had a knack that, no matter the outcome, she always had the right things to say, in victory or defeat for her loved ones, such as “No victory no dinner,” or “Cry on inside like a winner!” She knew how to motivate.

Charlie and her twin sister Freddie were avid softball players, and she had her own team in the town of Canton. She was never afraid to get down and dirty like all the other women. Her family cheered her on from the sidelines too as they never missed her games. Bob was their sponsor and a big supporter, showing up from work at every game, bringing 16-year-old little Bobby, usually against his will until he saw all the ladies playing. Then it was back to Friendly’s at Cobb’s Corner for coffee and laughs.

As time went on and her daughter Michelle was old enough to play on her team, Charlie recruited her and they were able to enjoy this special time together, with her grandson John “Johnny” Sellew in tow with Michelle as it really was a family affair.

Charlene had other passions she enjoyed, from the early days with her husband when she was driving race cars herself in powder puff leagues at Norwood arena and Lakeville arena, to bowling and softball, to a stint as a power lifter. Yes, a power lifter. She was so proud of her “16-inch guns.”

Charlie also managed her own restaurant for quite a while but gave that up so she could work in the Stoughton school system as a teacher’s aide. She made this choice to be closer to her children (or was it to keep a better eye on a group of hell raisers? We may never know.) After some time, she retired from teaching at the school to care for her other three little grandchildren. She believed family was everything and the most important thing in the world.

When her husband Bob started racing again in the Busch Grand National North in 1987, together with her family and friends the real fun began. They traveled all over the Northeast, even to Indiana. She was the owner of Bob’s race car and enjoyed this adventure to its fullest. She had the time of her life, spending quality time together with Bob, racing every weekend, working on the race car every night in his garage, and sharing this with everyone who was important to her. Life was great.

With all this going on, Charlene made sure to plan all the family vacations, and had her special spots. From York beach every summer to exploring Florida every winter, with special trips to Lake George and provinces in Canada. She loved the wilderness and camping and wanted to expose her children to all she could.

Family meant the world to her, so after her daughter Nicole passed, she fought every day to keep the family together no matter the cost to herself. She made sure Nicole’s children would grow up living with her and Bob and that they were surrounded by family that would raise them and keep them together.

What a lot of people didn’t see: She had a side of her where she would help anyone, or talk to anyone who may need an ear for listening — making friends in an instant, offering help or giving advice. Honest and truthful, she was the type of person who would speak her mind and tell you like it was. Anyone who has met her states they would never forget her. She had a soft side to her. She never believed in being fake, or sugarcoating bad news; she was as straightforward as a person could be. She shared praise and credit to those who deserved it.

Charlene became ill with Alzheimer’s a few years back, and then she was diagnosed with lung cancer in February of 2022. She fought so hard until the end. We know she is watching over all of us from heaven above and we take comfort in knowing she is no longer suffering. Our love will never fade for her, as we know her love will never fade for us. Until we meet again, she’s God’s problem now. Give him strength.

“A Mother is with us always, first in her lifetime, then forever in our memory.”

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to visiting hours at the Dockray & Thomas Funeral Home, 455 Washington Street, on Saturday, November 5, from 12-4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in Charlie’s memory can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38102, or online at stjude.org.

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Posted by Canton Citizen on Nov 3 2022. Filed under Obituaries. Both comments and pings are currently closed.