Charlotte E. Task

Mrs. Charlotte Edelstein Task passed away on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at the Gateway Health and Rehabilitation Center. She was 93. Mrs. Task was born on December 14, 1916 in Peabody, MA, daughter of the late Harris and Leah Edelstein. As a teen, Mrs. Task displayed a gender-bending spirit not encouraged from young women during that era, working alongside her father in his two businesses. One of the first women in that time to drive a car, she accompanied her father on towing runs, occasionally driving the wrecker even in winter trips to Maine. Charlotte’s career as a tow truck operator was short lived. When her father entered the leather buffing business in Peabody, Massachusetts, Charlotte kept the books for him. Because of her success in school (salutatorian), she received a most unusual scholarship to attend any Ivy League college of her choosing. Unfortunately, the Depression forced her to enroll in a local teacher’s college, where she withdrew after only a semester to work fulltime. Not surprisingly, she found a career utilizing her exceptional mathematical skills as a bookkeeper. Mrs. Task worked in the leather business managing the finances of a number of shoe businesses. Her work was interrupted in 1945 with the arrival of her twins, Alan and Judy. When the children grew more independent, Mrs. Task returned to work, becoming the office manager/bookkeeper of the growing Marshall stores. Mrs. Task lost her beloved husband, Percival Task in 1983, and her only sibling, Harold Edelstein in 1995, and then moved to Greenfield, Massachusetts to be near her son and his extended family. In 2004 she relocated to Georgia to be cared for by Judy and her husband, John Edwards. Survivors include her twins, Alan Task and Judy Edwards; daughter-in-law Patricia Klein of Pelham, MA; son-in-law John Edwards from Cleveland, GA; grandchildren, Liam Quinlan, Athens, GA,; Kelly Quinlan, Canton, GA, Bryon Task of Footville, WI, Carrie Task, Gill, MA.; Emily Task, St. Louis, MO; Rebecca Task, Pelham, MA.; and six great-grandchildren. Additional beloved survivors include: Jack and Jill Lipsey, Millers Falls, MA. Graveside services will be held at 2:30 PM Friday, May 28, 2010 at Maple Hill Cemetery. Those wishing to express online condolences to the family may do so by visiting www.barrettfh.com Barrett Funeral Home in Cleveland and Conway-Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home in Peabody, MA are in charge of arrangements.