Charlotte M. (Grafton) Hudson

Charlotte Mae Hudson, nee Grafton, 92, passed away on August 5, 2018 at home with her daughter in Trout Valley. A former long term resident of North Barrington, IL, she had been residing with her daughter for the past three years. She was born May 25, 1926 in Dayton, OH, daughter of the late Ella May (Ketter) and Noah E. Grafton, and wife of the late Frank Owen Hudson, Jr., to whom she was married for 66 years. She is survived by her daughters Joy L. Dragstedt, Wendy E. Johnson and Lisa A. (Ken) Ross. Charlotte was a loving Grandmother to Jennifer A. and Robert A. (Jessica) Dragstedt, Kari M. Ross, and Hunter L. Johnson, and a loving Great-grandmother to Dylan, Tanner, Elliette and Sylas Dragstedt. She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, her brother Richard Grafton and son in law, Kerry D. Johnson.

Charlotte grew up in Dayton and worked at Wright Patterson Air Force base during the war and prior to her marriage. After her marriage she lived in Chicago; Bronxville, New York; and again in Dayton before moving to North Barrington, IL in 1979. She was an artist and part of a painting group in Dayton where she sold her paintings before becoming interested in clay. For many years she made unique incense burning houses which sold out annually at local shows near Barrington. Her shows were family affairs with her grandchildren wrapping and counting money and setting up her booth.

She was happiest when the family could be together and she loved planning her legendary annual Thanksgiving with the whole family converging at her home for the week. It was at this time the grandchildren noticed the money tree in her back yard was most likely to bloom.

Charlotte was a beautiful and meticulous in her appearance and she created beauty and comfort for those around her wherever she went. She was a happy person and always ready to go and do anything fun. She enjoyed good health and had renewed her passport and packed for a Canada family vacation in the days before her death.

As she wrote for us – “No tears – I had a wonderful life.”

Services for Charlotte will be held privately.