Charleen Maria Hock Rieth, born on March 21, 1933, passed away after a brief illness on February 15, 2024, at the age of 90 (34 days shy of her 91st) while residing at Courtland Manor Nursing Home.

Charleen was born in Wilmington California. She was brought to Far Rockaway in New York when she was just a baby, and was raised by her Grandma Hock. When she was a pre-teen, they moved to Oceanside NY. She graduated from Oceanside High School and began working in a hardware store immediately following. Her best friend talked her into going on a blind date and she fell in love. She married Theodore C. Rieth on January 25, 1953 and started her family in Baldwin, New York, where she raised all 5 of her children and helped raise 2 of her grandchildren. After the death of her beloved husband, she sold her home and moved to Delaware to be with her son Walter and his family. She always chuckled that she was born in Wilmington California and now lived so close to Wilmington Delaware.

As a child, Charleen had a gift for dance, and was enrolled in Mann's Dance Studio in Long Island. She reminisced about being a background dancer in old MGM movies, featuring Mickey Rooney. She remembered one scene where she was on the deck of a boat and all the children were dressed like fairies and dancing. She was very small, less than 10 years old, and it was so exciting.

She was always curious, even as a little girl. One day she saw some children walking into a pretty building. She wanted to know "what's going on" so she followed them in. It turned out to be a church. They didn't tell her to leave, so she stayed and listened and got snacks. She enjoyed it so much that she kept going back. When she moved to Oceanside, she joined the First Presbyterian Church of Oceanside, where she was married and raised all her children. She taught Sunday School and Confirmation class, and was a lifelong member of the Choir. She worked hard to instill a love of God in her children. On moving to Delaware, she immediately became a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Smyrna DE and joined the choir.

Charleen worked from home after she was married. She was a skilled typist, typing 100 words per minute on an old Royal mechanical typewriter. She hit the keys so hard she would wear them out! She would replace the worn keys with keys from a broken typewriter. Eventually, her keyboard had several X, Z, Q, in place of the well used E,A,I,O, and others. Through all that work and raising her children, she still found time to enjoy tatting (a kind of lace-making), sewing, bowling, and fellowship at her church and the American Legion.

Charleen was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Theodore C. Rieth, her dear daughter, Jeanette (Rieth) Larsen, and her dear cousin Betty Ann Dixon.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory her dear cousin Maria Heller, her children Theodore J. Rieth, Benjamin C. Rieth (Denise), Walter C. Rieth (Roslyn) and Samantha T. Rieth (Amanda), her grandchildren Theodore J. Rieth Jr. (Tamie), Kenneth R. Rieth, Jennifer A. Rieth Schumacher (Matthew), Jessica M. Larsen Master (Craig), Christian J. Rieth (Jazz), Naomi F. Rieth, and Moriah H. Rieth, her great-grandchildren Jordan P. Rieth Gonzalez (Adam), Devon L. Rieth (Magda), Jared M. Rieth, Emily G. Rieth, Connor L. Davis, Rowan Master, and her great-great-granddaughter Avery Rose Gonzalez aged 2.

There will be 2 viewings available, Thursday February 22 from 7-8pm, and Friday, February 23 from noon to 2pm at First Presbyterian Church of Smyrna DE, 118 W. Commerce St., Smyrna DE. A celebration of Charleen's life will be held on Friday, February 23 at 2pm. All are welcome to stay for a Luncheon in Charleen's honor following the service. Interment will be 12 PM Monday February 26 at Calverton National Cemetery, Wading River, New York. All arrangements are made by Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home of Smyrna DE. We thank them for their kindness and assistance in guiding us during this sad time.

In lieu of flowers, Charleen requested that donations be made to the following:

First Presbyterian Church of Smyrna, 118 W. Commerce St., Smyrna, DE 19977; American Legion Auxiliary #246 Baldwin c/o P.P. JoAnn Giretti, 21 Baldwin Ave., Baldwin NY 11510; or American Legion Ambulance #64, 900 Smyrna-Clayton Blvd., Smyrna, DE 19977.

Charleen's family would like to thank Courtland Manor Nursing Home for taking such good care of Mom these past few years, and the American Legion Ambulance of Smyrna for all their past assistance. We are also grateful to all the members of the First Presbyterian Church of Smyrna and Oceanside for keeping Charleen in your prayers, and all the cards, calls, and visits. You made her final years joyful knowing so many continued to think of her. Special thanks to Rev. InKyung Park for all her visits and love. Mom had a special place in her heart for her dear friend InKyung. And finally, our thanks to Rev. Dr. John Riley, for being with Mom and us when we needed it most, and helping us through this difficult time.

To sign the online guestbook, please click the tab marked "Guestbook".

Arrangements are by Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Smyrna.