Obituary of Charis L. Jenkins

Charis L. Jenkins, 80, daughter of Annabelle and Walter, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, her husband Art and their daughter Leslie.

Charis’ primary joy was as a wife, mother and daughter. She was a lifelong resident of the Capital District, graduating from the University at Albany where she met and fell in love with Art.

They raised their family and ran their business in the Town of Colonie, spending summers in the beautiful Adirondacks. A brilliant polymath, Charis was a student of literature, visual arts, music, ecology, politics, economics, and history, but her greatest passion was the Word of God.

Charis lived her faith daily through serving in a variety of volunteer positions with Loudonville Community Church (LCC), and through the immense kindness and generosity she showed to others. She saw the promise of God’s love and the beauty of His creation in everything she cultivated in her gardens: Charis watched with enthusiasm as every seedling, leaf, and bud unfolded. She saw life lessons in patiently waiting for spring, the resilience of nature, the arc of the seasons, and flourishing with faith and hope – characteristics that she embraced and embodied during her journey with pancreatic cancer.

Charis is survived by two daughters and their families, all of whom were engaged in her care:

Jill and her children Sofia and Gian Marco; and Gwynne and her husband, Mark, and their daughter Imogen. During her illness, Charis expressed gratitude to God for His many blessings, including constant support from friends and family, prayers at LCC and Congregation Beth Israel, and talented medical and hospice caregivers.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 11 AM at the Loudonville Community Church (374 Loudon Rd. (Rt. 9)). Friends may call for one hour prior, beginning at 10 AM. The entombment will be private at the convenience of the family.

Those desiring may make contributions in memory of Charis Jenkins to the Capital City Rescue Mission, 259 S. Pearl St., Albany, NY 12202 or at https://capitalcityrescuemission.org.