Charlotte Hackstaff Fitch, born August 13, 1911, in Verona, NJ, died April 30, 2011, at her home in Westport Point, MA.
Following graduation from Smith College in 1934 she pursued a career in theater, including several stock companies as well as non speaking roles with Katherine Cornell's touring Shakespeare company. In 1939-40 she was a guide at the New York World's Fair.
During World War II Charlotte Fitch was in the Red Cross, primarily involved with troop entertainment at military hospitals. Then she earned a masters degree at Teachers College, Columbia University. Beginning in 1948 Ms. Fitch began her teaching career at Smith College where she taught speech and drama. During summers and sabbaticals she travelled to many areas of the world. She retired from Smith 1976 as a full professor and became a resident of Westport Point, where she continued to be involved in theater as director or assistant in local productions.
Charlotte's mother, Charlotte H. Waring, and aunt, Mary K. Waring, as unmarried women, first visited Westport Point in the 1880's, and the extended family has been enjoying it ever since. Charlotte Fitch is descended from George Soule, a signer of the Mayflower Compact, and Thomas Fitch, a Colonial Governor of Connecticut.
Ms. Fitch is survived by three nephews, Alan D. Fitch, Daniel G. Fitch, and John D. Fitch, Jr. as well as many cousins and great and great, great nephews and nieces.
Those wishing, may make a contribution to the Westport Point United Methodist Church or the Westport Art Group.
A memorial service for Charlotte is scheduled for August 20, 2011, 11:00 AM at the Westport Point Methodist Church.