Charlene Paternoster, 78, passed away peacefully in Bridges Memory Care Assisted Living in Trumbull, her residence of the past two years. She was born in Bridgeport to John and Rita (Amidon) Walters on October 28, 1946.

Charlene was predeceased by Thomas Paternoster, her devoted husband of 48 years; and by her parents.

She was a longtime resident of Sandy Hook, where she and her husband purchased a home after moving from their first home in Bridgeport. They were parishioners of Saint Rose of Lima, Roman Catholic Church. She graduated from Central High School, where she pursued a secretarial course, in which field she worked for many years. She enjoyed her last position as a library aide in the Edith Wheeler Memorial Library in Monroe. Above all, Charlene is remembered by her family, friends and co-workers as a kind and unassuming person. She was skilled in the traditional art of rug hooking, dying and cutting the yarns that she used to create detailed framed tapestries and many smaller items. She pursued her craft while working full time, until her eyesight began to fail due to glaucoma.

Charlene loved to bake, watch vintage movies and listen to music of all types from classical to rock and roll. She loved her dogs. She and Tom always kept purebred German shepherds, often keeping a rescue dog simultaneously, to provide companionship for their shepherds. She was interested in family history, preserving miscellaneous documents and an unfinished handwritten history of her paternal family. Together with her husband, she created a complete documented family tree of his family, tracing the generations who arrived from Italy as immigrants.

She loved things “old fashioned” as she called them: traveling yearly to Maine for the Christmas festivities in Kennebunkport and to the Amish country to explore the countryside and purchase handcrafted accessories for their home. Together, they volunteered to deliver Meals on Wheels for Newtown residents in need of the service.

Charlene is survived by a sister, Patricia Salerno of Monroe; a brother, William Walters of Cabot, Vt.; a sister-in-law and close friend, Rosemary Gasper of Ridgefield; and many nieces and nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews, and two great-grand nieces.

Her family extends special thanks to her caregivers at Bridges and to all the medical professionals and support individuals of Compasses (Hospice) who worked compassionately as a team to enable her to spend her last days in comfort and dignity. Heartfelt appreciation also goes to Charlene’s neighbors and friends who offered the family support throughout her difficult, declining years.

According to Charlene’s wishes, there were no calling hours. Interment was private.

Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street in Newtown, served Charlene’s family.