Charlotte Koudijs Taverna, resident of Wilton, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017 surrounded by family and friends.

She was born on August 11, 1963 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands to Bert and Anky Koudijs. In November 1977 the family moved to New Canaan, CT, where she attended the New Canaan Country School. She went on to graduate from TASIS England in 1982 after the family moved to South Ascot, UK. Charlotte received her bachelor’s degree in French and German from Bates College, class of 1986. While at Bates she met her husband John Taverna, class of 1985. They moved to New York City where she worked for Marsh and McClennan. The couple married in April 1990 at the Church of the Holy Trinity. After having their first two children, Willem and Beatrice, in the city, they moved to Wilton, CT, where they welcomed their daughter Caroline.

Charlotte was an active member of the Wilton community, from chairing youth field hockey and lacrosse to teaching knitting at Continuing Education. She volunteered for numerous causes, including A Better Chance and the Family and Children’s Agency. Her passion and tireless dedication was inspiring to all.

Charlotte is survived by her husband, John Taverna, son Willem Taverna, daughters Beatrice and Caroline, all of Wilton, CT; her parents Bert and Anky of Boca Raton, FL; her mother-in-law Lori Taverna of New York, NY; her brother Sander Koudijs of White Plains, NY and his four children, Alec, Andrew, Gregory, and Barbara; her sister-in-law Deborah Taverna of New York, NY; and her brother-in-law Fred Taverna, his wife Jeanette, and their four children, Ryan, Taylor, Liam, and Katrina, all of Pelham, NY.

All these family and friends will miss Charlotte’s passion for cooking, knitting, and art; her sharp sense of humor and infectious smile; her uncanny ability to make new friends wherever she went; but most of all her zealous and fearless embrace of life with all its highs and lows, and of love in its every manifestation.

Her family will receive friends for an informal memorial service and a celebration of her life on Sunday, December 17, 2017 from 4:30-8 p.m. at the Wilton Library Association.

In lieu of flowers, Charlotte wished that memorial donations would be made to Whittingham Cancer Center at Norwalk Hospital and/or The Family and Children’s Agency.