Charlotte Mcallister Donlin

Charlotte McAllister Donlin died on May 26, 2016, in Billings. She was 89. Born on June 9, 1926, in Long Beach, California, Charlotte was the second of three children born to Roy and Elizabeth "Bess" McAllister. The McAllisters endured the Depression, earthquakes and World War II, always supporting each other and enjoying life in Southern California. She was preceded in death by her sister, Cordelia Manning; and her brother, Joe McAllister.

Charlotte believed deeply in the importance and power of a good education. After graduating from St. Anthony's High School in Long Beach and Immaculate Heart College in Los Angeles, she pursued a career in teaching and school administration. Charlotte loved the ocean, and spent her young adulthood in Long Beach and San Francisco.

In 1957, Charlotte married Joseph Michael Donlin, a sheep rancher and Casper, Wyoming, native. She joined Joe in Casper, where they began to raise their family. Following Joe's death in 1968, Charlotte remained in Casper to raise their seven daughters. She impressed the importance of education upon her children and shared with them her love of travel, reading, entertaining and the arts. Charlotte cherished her lifelong friendships, but, above all, loved having all "her girls" together.

A woman of unwavering faith and a firm believer in the power of the rosary, Charlotte was a member of St. Anthony's Church in Casper for over 40 years, and a member of St. Thomas the Apostle since moving to Billings in 2005.

Charlotte is survived by numerous nieces and nephews; 14 grandchildren; one great-grandson; and her seven daughters, Margaret (Bob) Goodhouse, Virginia; Catherine Ferguson, Colorado; Nano (Shawn) Hinton, Colorado; Charlotte (Clay) Hoes, Minnesota; Eilleen (Phil) Lucey, Massachusetts; Jane (Tim) Leuthold, Montana; and Johanna Donlin, Colorado. She will be dearly missed and always loved.

The family would like to thank the extraordinary caregivers at St. John's Moorberg Cottage for all their support and care over the past two years.

A funeral mass will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 16, at St. Thomas the Apostle, 2055 Woody Drive. Burial will follow in Casper, Wyoming, on Friday, June 17.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Craig Hospital Foundation, 3425 S. Clarkson St., Englewood, CO 80113; or St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Billings.