Elaine Nasson Charter

Elaine Nasson Charter, 83 of Northport, lived her life demonstrating kindness, unconditional love and courage. Surviving breast cancer for more than 45 years, she died peacefully on Mothers' Day, Sunday, May 14, 2017 in Saline, MI at Arbor Hospice Residence.

A poet, teacher, seamstress, baker, and homemaker, each of her pursuits were carried out with the soul of an artist. An alumna of Western Michigan University, Elaine accepted a position to teach home economics in Northport in the 1950s. She was an accomplished seamstress and led 4-H sewing clubs throughout the 1960s. For nearly two decades, she and her husband owned and operated the Donut Shop, a summer business in Northport, where she decorated countless cakes for those celebrating life's milestones. In 1984, her passion for poetry culminated in a book of her original poems, Full Circle. For most of her life Elaine fought bipolar disorder through persistence, and treatment. It was her wish for her family and friends to know how much she loved them. Gentle in spirit, Elaine's greatest gift was this love, as well as her kindness. It is through these two things that she leaves her most indelible mark on her family and friends.

Elaine is survived by her three children, David (Lori) Charter, Caryn Charter (Patrick Lebert), and Michael (Janet) Charter; brother Norman (Connie) Nasson of Petoskey, MI; four grandchildren, Kylie Charter, Tyler Lebert, Bianca Canul, and Holly Charter.

She is preceded in death by husband of forty-nine years, Frederick L. Charter, twin sons, John and Paul, and her parents, Emil and Clara Nasson of Petoskey.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 17, 2017 at 12 p.m. at Trinity United Church of Christ, 103 N Warren Street, Northport, MI, with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. Reverend Phil Garrison will officiate services.

Those wishing an expression of sympathy may direct contributions to Arbor Hospice, 2366 Oak Valley Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48103 or Munson Healthcare Foundation, c/o Munson Cancer Patient Needs Fund, 1150 Medical Campus Drive, Traverse City, MI 49684.