Pals share memories of fun-loving Charlotte

Touching tributes for a ‘fun-loving island girl’ who died in the US have flooded in from across the world.

Bermudian Charlotte Watlington was 34 years old when she died on Tuesday in Boston.

Her death has prompted an outpouring of emotion across the island as well as on her Facebook page.

While a memorial site set up in her memory by Francis Gooding Silverwood was quickly inundated with dozens of tributes and memories from grieving friends and family.

Ms Silverwood described Ms Watlington as “beautiful and vivacious” adding: “Our love for you will never fade just as your smile will remain engrained in our memories.”

While childhood friend, Emma Farge, a former Bermuda Sun reporter who now works for Reuters, described Ms Watlington as “quirky, fun-loving with a huge heart”.

She wrote: “A horse-crazy ten year old girl couldn’t have wished for a better neighbour than Charlotte Watlington.

“She had a pony! Most girls who had ponies were aloof and superior and would never allow anyone else to mount them. Not Charlotte.

“His name was Ice-Man — a bony bay with a trot that jolted you about like a pneumatic drill, never destined to win any competitions at the Ag Show.

“I can’t recall how or why she came up with that name but I suppose it’s not so unusual coming from girl who had a cat named ‘Cat’.

“Charlotte would come bouncing down from Barnes Corner with Ice-Man and we would take turns tearing up and down the Southampton railway trail, breaking all the rules for a good equestrian: no hat, no boots, stirrups flapping recklessly against poor Ice-Man’s ribs.”

Alison Garland wrote: “Char was truly a beautiful person inside and out. Her passion and energy in life touched us all. 

Melissa Mosling added “Charlotte was a smart, funny and driven woman. She was a great storyteller. Never left out any detail! I loved her energy.  

Ms Watlington’s Facebook page was also flooded with tributes from shocked friends as news of her tragic death spread.

Craig Brown said: “I’m shocked and saddened to hear this news - Charlotte RIP I will always smile fondly at the memories from sailing and your visits at Belmont to drive the golf carts.”

Barbara Maguire wrote: “RIP beautiful lady and much love sent at this sad, sad time to your Mom, Dad and sister.”

Gabriella Gabrielsen added” “I love you. I was just thinking about you last night. I’ll never forget the time u randomly told me one day at MHS that the best way to start a war is to take the tea away from the British.”

Joni Pena posted: “Going to miss Charlotte Watlington with all my heart. You were such a beautiful and kind person.”

While Corey Masters-Brown wrote: “Thank you for being a part of my life, for making me laugh, for sharing those crazy boarding school days. I love you. Rest in Peace, beautiful.”