Charlene Mae Oropesa
August 30, 1955 ~ December 2, 2024
Charlene Mae Oropesa, 69, Retired Senior Buyer- Aircraft, passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones on Monday, December 2, 2024. Memorial Service will be at 11:00 am, Saturday, December 7, 2024, at Downing & Lahey West Mortuary.
Charlene was a breast cancer survivor who loved abundantly and was loved by everyone who knew her. She enjoyed nature, trees, sunsets, and morning walks.
Charlene is preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Shirley Mae Lawton; brothers, Robert and David Lawton.
Survived by her sons, Bradford V. (Gihan) Voorhees, Richard Voorhees, Jesse (Paulo) Oropesa; daughters, Pauline (Gavin Dobson, fiancé) Oropesa, Carmen (Matthew) Oropesa, Mariana Oropesa; grandchildren, Victoreea Voorhees, Richard (Raegan Flowers, fiancée) Voorhees, Mariam Voorhees, Seth Voorhees, Cristiano Morris, Alexandria Ortega, Isaac Ortega; great-grandchildren, Natasha Voorhees, Elijah Voorhees, Everest Voorhees, Nadine Morris, and one on the way.
In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with: American Red Cross - Midway Kansas Chapter, 707 N. Main, Wichita, KS 67203 and Breast Cancer Research Foundation, 28 West 44th Street, Suite 609, New York, NY 10036.
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A true friend is how I describe Charlene. Always encouraging others when she needed encouraging. She will be greatly missed. She was always just a phone call or a text message away. She loved family and friends. Great dedication for those she cherish and the things she cherish.
Friend: Lottie Mack Chandler
Charlene was one of the first people I met and got to know when I started at Cessna in 1990. She was always happy and went out of her way to try and cheer anyone up who was feeling down, some things never change. When we reconnected after I moved back to our old building it was like nothing had changed in 8 years. I will miss her dearly but know she’s in a better place. She’s probably already back to Bowling if they have that in heaven. Rest in Peace, we all loved you.
I had the privilege of working with Charlene for most of my career as a supplier, and she was truly one of a kind—beautiful inside and out. Her warmth, kindness, and grace made every interaction special, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
My thoughts and prayers are with her family and loved ones during this difficult time. I hope you find comfort in knowing that she is in a better place, as God has called another angel home.
Rest in peace, Charlene.
Kelly
I just learned this evening 12/6 that Charlene passed. Charlene was like a big sister to me. So much so she was in the delivery room with me until everyone had to leave due to needing me needing an emergency C- Section. She trained me in Supply Chain over 20 years ago. We lost touch over Covid although we saw each other at Dillons all of the time and it was always a 30 minute conversation. I’m devastated as I had just recently thought about her and was thinking I would call to see if she wanted to go to Chilis over Christmas break! She loved their molten chocolate cake! She was the best chocolate chip cookie maker on the planet. She would literally give the shirt off of her back to a stranger. To the kids and grands I am so very sorry I know how much she loved each and everyone of you.
I send my love and condolences to Charlene’s family. Although I didn’t know Charlene well, I have had the privilege of being Vickie and Richie adopted grandma, and have gotten to know other members of the family.
Charlene was my best friend as everyone learned at the service who attended. Charlene’s passing has hit me hard and also for others who were friends with her.
I keep thinking about all the fun times we had along with Nina & Craig. The (5) of us were un-separatable. The bond we had and the friendships we gained will never be forgotten. Charlene was the one who kept us strong. She was amazing.
I think of Charlene every morning and every evening (also times throughout the day). I miss her deeply. I have been trying to think about this entire loss of ours and after hearing everyone’s memories at the service, I came to this conclusion: Her son Brad, said something about being pre-programmed by his mother (to look at sunsets, mountains and etc the beauty we have all around us) & Charlene’s daughter (Polly) talking about the Holidays and especially Christmas being her favorite time of year.
Rich, and others who spoke had remarkable stories to share and the laughter of those stories. (running over a rabbit when the boys were young). You had to be there!!!!
I have always wondered why people have to be taken from us at the holiday times?
I am happy to finally acknowledge that my friend Charlene was taken from us at this time of year because not only was her children pre-programmed but Charlene has pre-programmed all of us. Everyone she knew! She loved the holidays. She was always giving holiday decorations to people for gifts. So all of Charlene’s love & kindness and free spirt was to make us always remember her and to never forget her. This was her showing her love, to each of us that knew her.
Every Thanksgiving & Christmas is not a time to be sad but a time to enjoy & love all of those around you (friends & family) and remember Charlene as she shared her favorite times with us over the years.
Charlene will always be missed and loved but now forever in our hearts and our soul.
I do love you friend & miss you terribly – I will always cry when I think of you.
PS: I am still waiting on you to tap my shoulder or give me a sign that you are OK.
Amen
True friends are hard to find, difficult to leave and impossible to forget. I will never forget all you have given me. Love and miss you!
I just wanted to share with anyone that may get a notice via this site or that may look back on this site, that we are having Charlene’s Celebration of Life party on Saturday March 1st @ Side Pockets from 1-3:00pm. Hope to see everyone there.