O' Connell-Towne Scholarship

This scholarship was established in 1997 by Robert and Charlotte O'Connell. 

Charlotte Towne O'Connell
Charlotte Towne O’Connell, a devoted life-long resident of Sterling, passed away December 26, 2017. She came into the world on October 15, 1924, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Denver, a daughter to Vera Railsback Towne and Ray Arthur Towne. Ray was an early banker in Northeastern Colorado and formed the Security State Bank in Sterling in 1925.

Charlotte’s affection for Sterling started at an early age, joining the Brownies, playing clarinet in several school orchestras and exploring the town and surrounding areas with her friends. That love and connection only grew in the years to come. Always determined and with varied interests, she took flying lessons as a teen, created stories and art works in community productions and graduated from Logan County High School in 1942.

She went on to study fine arts at the University of Denver, where her openness and love for people led her to an active social life, including membership in the Pi Beta Phi sorority, earning her private pilots license as a member of the university flying club, and exploring the Rocky Mountains on week-end hiking trips. But her heart remained in Sterling.

She married Robert E. O’Connell at her parents’ home in Sterling on December 22, 1946. It was the beginning of 55 years of love and devotion. Their shared interest in flying, which Charlotte introduced to Bob, and in traveling together, created a life filled with fun and adventure. That adventure was joined by three children, Richard, Barbara, and Annie. Together, they built a beautiful home near Pioneer Park next door to Charlotte’s sister Barbara Towne Brown and her husband Ted. The two families grew up together on the 80 acres of stables, pasture, and horse trails.

Her participation in the community continued and deepened during this time. She helped found a local chapter of PEO, co-created the Meals on Wheels program, and volunteered in the women’s hospital auxiliary.

The value she placed on education and the youth led her to serve as a board member of Northeastern Junior College and found a summer precision riding, Silver Spurs, which performed at rodeos and events throughout the region.

She was generous with her time, becoming deeply involved with the First Presbyterian Church, where she served as a deacon and valued member of the Fellowship Committee. She sewed personalized baptism banners for the children of the church into her late eighties.

Charlotte loved to cook, bake and create in so many artistic ways. She shared her sense of adventure and exploration with her children, her grandchildren, her community, and was blessed with the love she shared with her husband.