BERNE — Charlene M. Lee, who was passionate about her family, died on Friday, Oct. 8, 2021 at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany. She was 85.

She was born on June 3, 1936 in Schoharie to the late Willard and Mabel Berner Hotaling.

“Charlene was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother,” her family wrote in a  tribute. “She enjoyed playing cards, going to bingo, and going to the casino.

“Charlene loved country music, especially Merle Haggard, George Jones, and Tammy Wynette.  She also enjoyed dancing and singing, particularly yodeling. Her passion was spending time with her family.”

She is survived by her son, Donald J. Lee, and his wife, Danielle; her daughter-in-law, Deborah J. Lee; her grandchildren, Jennifer Butler, Jarrod Lee, Brandon Lee, Brittni Tambasco, Kirstie Hahn, and Kayla Klob; her great-grandchildren, Julea Burgess, Jeffrey Burgess, Raven Tambasco, Kenzie Lee, Hayden Hahn, Hudson Hahn, and Collins Smith; and many nieces and nephews.

Her parents, Willard and Mabel Berner Hotaling, died before her as did her husband, Kenneth E. Lee, on Dec. 9, 2019; as did her children, Kenneth D. Lee, Jenny Mae Lee, and Ricky E. Lee; her siblings, Marion Loucks, married to Thomas Jr., Edith McCoy. married to Wally, Georgianna Yanson, married to Choral, Virginia Borst, married to Howard, Ruthie Funk, married to Mike, Willard “Buddy” Hotaling, married to Florence, Edna Wright, married to Martin, Julia Clapper, married to Donald, and Alice Wainwright, married to Daniel.

Her body has been cremated privately. Memorial calling hours will be Saturday, Oct. 16, from noon until 2 p.m. at A.J. Cunningham Funeral Home at 4898 State Route 81 in Greenville.

A memorial service will be conducted at 2 p.m. at the funeral home by Pastor Will Balta, followed by burial of the ashes of both Charlene and Kenneth Lee in the South Berne Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date.

Memorial messages may be left at www.altamontenterprise.com/milestones.

Memorial contributions may be made to either the South Westerlo Congregational Christian Church, 282 County Route 405, Greenville, NY 12083, or the South Berne Congregational Christian Church, 101 Church Road, Berne, NY 12023.