Charlotte Krentzel
Krentzel, Charlotte (Shapiro), 97, of Lasell Village in Auburndale, MA, passed away on February 23, 2022. She was born to Emma Shapiro and Alex Shapiro, on 10 September 1924 in Manchester, NH.
She graduated from Manchester Central High in 1941, received an associates degree from Colby Sawyer College in 1943 and graduated the University of Michigan in 1946 with a bachelor’s degree in social work.
Charlotte was a strong and devoted woman giving of herself to her family, the community, and social causes, in New Hampshire and throughout New England.
Growing of age during a time when traditional women’s activities was mostly centered around the home, Charlotte did that and more. Her activism for social justice and concerns for the rights of the less fortunate caused her to enlist as a volunteer for New Hampshire Legal Assistance in the organization’s formative years in the 1970s. She interviewed clients, engaged in problem solving and served as an advocate in the confident and outspoken style for which she was well known. The staff, in which she was quickly integrated, affectionately referred to Charlotte as “Chuck”. She worked long hours as a reliable legal assistant, along with her good friend and co-worker volunteer, Maxine Morse. Later, Charlotte became a volunteer at Eliot Hospital. Charlotte grew up in the Temple Adath Yeshurun family married Ted Krentzel and remained within that extended family throughout her life.
Charlotte was famous for being a “straight shooter,” and woman of strong opinions, characteristics that endeared her too many people. She was also a philanthropist and dedicated supporter of many non-profit organizations. In recent years, Charlotte was outspoken in supporter of Media Power Youth, a Manchester, NH based organization dedicated to guiding young people to lead healthy, active lives by understanding the influence of, and how to smartly interpret today’s media, especially social media in all of its forms.
In 2007, Charlotte relocated from Manchester, NH to Lasell Village in Auburndale, MA, a Boston suburb, where she enjoyed a very productive life as part of a college based community.
She was predeceased by her loving husband Theodore Krentzel, a prominent Manchester business leader and partner in one of the State’s largest meat packing companies, and her dear son Alan Krentzel.
Charlotte was an awesome Wife, Mom, Gram and Gigi, Aunt, and friend. She is survived by her daughter Lee Krentzel Forgosh and husband Jeffrey Forgosh. Her grandchildren Lauren Forgosh Brooks and husband David Brooks, Karen Forgosh Cooper and husband Lee Cooper, Alyssa Krentzel and fiancé David Hoffman and Evan Krentzel. She has 4 great grandchildren, Sydney Brooks, Ella Brooks , Phoenix Cooper, and Lily Cooper.
She was interred February 23, 2022 at Manchester Hebrew Cemetery. Rabbi Beth Davidson officiated.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Temple Adath Yeshurun, 152 Prospect St., Manchester, NH 03104 or online https://taynh.org/ or the Jewish Federation of New Hampshire, 273 South River Rd., #5, Bedford, NH 03110 or online jewishnh.org.