Charleen Lacey

Charleen Mae “Tsiohaki” Lacey passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on March 20, 2023. Charleen was 79 years old. She was born in Malone, NY, daughter of Pearl Cook Taracka and Mose Mitchell. She is a proud native of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe at Akwesasne in Hogansburg, NY.

Charleen graduated from Greenwich High School in 1961 and  not long after she met and married the love of her life, Robert G. Lacey. At their reception their first dance as husband and wife was to the song “I Can't Help Falling in Love with You”  by Elvis, and that heartfelt sentiment continued throughout their marriage. Their family soon grew with the birth of their daughters, Sharon (Senez) and Heather (Ryan).

Charleen worked as a bus driver while her daughters were small but found excellence as a Contracts Administrator at Eaton Consolidated Controls and Leonardo DRS from where she retired in August, 2010.

The couple loved to travel, especially to the Southwest. They were always heading somewhere fun and warmer than Connecticut where they lived. After retirement, they moved to Texas where they had built their dream house and began their new life. She loved collecting Fenton, painted horses and anything Native American.

Family was everything to Charleen and she will be eternally missed by daughters, Sharon “Arisaweh” (Michael) Senez and Heather “Waienhawi” (Keith) Ryan; Grandchildren: Matthew (Rebecca) Senez, Joseph (Melinda) Hogaboom, Scott (Michele) Hogaboom, Zachary (Samantha) Senez, Dakotah (Ryan) Kearney, Jordan Ryan and Conner Ryan; and great-grandchildren: Joey, Lucy, Levi, Scarlett, Sawyer, Kane, Danny and baby Hogaboom expected in September.

As Charleen's illness progressed, her daughter Heather 's excellent care provided her with additional time and quality of life. She was able to be virtually present at many family events, graduations, showers, weddings, the birth of two grandsons and the expectation of a third. She was always available for a phone call, text or video chat with family and friends. She had a great sense of humor and would always have everyone laughing at her quick wit. She was a kind, generous and loving soul who will be missed by all.

Charleen was preceeded into Heaven by her beloved husband Robert G. Lacey who is meeting her there with bag pipes piping; her mother, Pearl Cook Taracka; her father, Mose “Satekaronies”  Mitchell; stepfather, Michael Taracka; grandparents, Margaret “Waienhawi” Cook Lazore and Albert Lazore. Charleen is survived by her sisters and brothers: Diana Lunge, Fred Cook, William Mitchell, Phillip “Jingles” Mitchell, Ann Mitchell, family and friends both near and far and her most beloved friends, Sue and Connie, and her cat Buddy.

Special thanks to Hope Hospice and its incredible caring nurses and aides who became friends along her journey. Charleen is finally free of the pain she has endured, especially in the last three years. Her soul is flying and she is once again with the love of her life, Robert, and family members gone before her. For this we are truly thankful.