Charlotte Arcadia

Charlotte Arcadia, a longtime resident of Rotonda West, Florida unexpectedly passed to life eternal on Monday, August 19, 2024, at the age of 84.  Charlotte and her late husband Jim relocated to Heritage Oaks Assisted Living Center where she has most recently been serving as President of the Residents Association. A life-long leader wherever she spent her time, Charlotte has been respected and loved.

Born in Philadelphia, PA on July 7, 1940, Charlotte Laura Baus attended schools in So. New Jersey where she was a member of the Future Nurses Club, a Candy Striper and elected to the National Honor Society.  Charlotte received her RN diploma from Bryn Mawr Hospital Nursing School in 1961, later studied to receive certification as an Oncology Nurse and was appointed Program Chairman for the Greater Lehigh Valley Oncology Nursing Society.  In 1974 Charlotte joined the Pennsylvania Federation of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs and served as President of her club during the 1976 Bicentennial Year.

In 1993, after raising a devoted family in Pennsylvania, Charlotte and Jim Arcadia “retired” to Rotonda West, FL. They immediately became Charter Members at Englewood Hospital’s Senior Friends, working on enrichment programs for Seniors.  Charlotte continued to serve as a member of the Advisory Council of Englewood Community Hospital, being a liaison for the local community.

A 20 year member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs in Rotonda West, Charlotte served as Club President 2012-2014, District Director 2014-2016 and received the Jennie Award from the GFWC Florida Federation in 2021.  The Jennie Award is the only national honor bestowed by the General Federation of Women’s Clubs that recognizes individual members for personal excellence.  The award is an occasion to highlight extraordinary women who epitomize the spirit of independence, courage and persistence through their roles as volunteers within their clubs, representatives of their community and as members of their families.

Charlotte is survived by her daughter, Susan Updegrove of Schuylkill Haven, PA;  her son Robert Yarnall of Tennessee;  nine grandchildren, three great grand children;  and brother, Kenneth Baus of Port Charlotte, FL.

In lieu of flowers the family requests either a donation to the charity of your choice or an act of kindness for others in Charlotte's memory.

Charlotte and Jim Arcadia's ashes are interred together at Sarasota National Cemetery, Sarasota, FL. A celebration of their lives will be held by members of the GFWC Rotonda West Woman’s Club and their wreaths placed during Wreaths Across America 2024.