Charless Ann Whitham

Obituary |  Condolences

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WHITHAM, Charless Ann Charless Ann Whitham of Newington passed away on Monday, (November 22, 2004) at Tufts New England Medical Center in Boston, MA. Born in Hartford, on June 24, 1957, she was the beloved daughter of Leslie Whitham and Charlotte (Kasmer) Whitham of Farmington. She enjoyed antiques, the beach and the UConn Women's Basketball Team, but the greatest love of her life was her 14 year old son Alexander "Alex" Kliminsky. Charless' goal in life was to make a difference. She wanted to leave the world just a little better. Charless accomplished this with her work with the Hartford Association for Retarded Citizens (HARC). She wore many hats in her 20 year tenure at HARC. Charless worked in vocational, family support, public education and recreation. She was a tireless advocate for people with mental retardation and their families, often found by parents' sides and together, they would negotiate the best programs for their children in area schools. She had a desire to plan the best possible activities for people with mental retardation. Unified Special Olympics came to HARC like lightning; having teams in basketball, soccer, floor hockey, softball and midnight bowling. Her commitment to area youth and their families was her number one priority in Recreation and Respite. Charless was formally recognized for her inclusive spirit and unlimited compassion by HARC on her 20th year anniversary in June 2004. She also received the Unsung Hero Award from Special Olympics Connecticut and has been recognized by Best Buddies for establishing the first Best Buddy programs at St. Joseph College in West Hartford and a second Best Buddy program at Trinity College for Hartford's youth. She was a member of the Grace Episcopal Church, Newington. Her HARC family will sorely miss her warmth, enthusiasm and driving force for improving the lives of people with mental retardation and their families. She also leaves her sister Susan Salvia and her husband Peter of Sudbury, MA and their three children Paige, Sarah, and Peter Michael; her brother Leslie Whitham and his wife Donna of Newton, MA and their four children, Leslie Carl "Carl", Victoria "Tori", Amanda and Douglas; her uncle and aunt, Charles and Sheila Kasmer of Bristol and their four children Joy Ginow of Seymour, Walter Kasmer and his wife Yasuko of Japan, Dr. Lisa Kasmer of Worcester, MA, and Charles and Donna Kasmer and daughter Molly of Bermuda; and several great aunts, uncles and many cousins.