CHARLENE MARIE KELTON

MIDDLEBURY — Charlene Marie Kelton passed away Sept. 28, 2025, following complications related to cancer.

Char was born Nov. 8, 1958, in Lebanon, N.H., to parents Raymond Carroll (Bud) Kelton and Joan (Grenon) Kelton. Early in childhood the family moved to Middlebury, where they laid firm roots and connected deeply with a community that Char cherished being a part of.

Char graduated from Middlebury Union High School in 1976 with her friends, many of whom she maintained close relationships with throughout her life. In 1978 She had a brief adventure in Aspen, where she lived, worked, and explored before returning to Middlebury, which was very much her home.

In 1981 Char married local rascal Paul Lengyel. In 1985 and 1991 they welcomed their children Abbi and Ross at Porter Hospital.

In 1991 Char initiated a career with the Counseling Service of Addison County, where she started as a Community Integration Specialist before becoming a Residential Support Staff and eventually an Employment Representative. She thrived there, building many close friendships with coworkers and developing strong rapport with clients. This work kept her out and about in the community where she would delight in seeing familiar faces and loved to catch up on the latest goings on. After over thirty years of service, she retired in December of 2023 and maintained many close connections with clients and coworkers in her retirement.

Char was a person who thrived in seeing the glass as always half full. She cared deeply about traditions and especially enjoyed the holidays as well as hosting frequent dinners. An avid cook, she loved to scour the weekly flyers and to prepare food in plenty for friends and family. Time spent around her dining room table partaking in her specialty of homemade garlic bread is a shared memory amongst her nearest and dearest.

A go-to phrase of Char’s was “groovy” and that was the rhythm for much of her take on life. She loved knickknacks and hanging photographs of people in her life around her home. She loved anything that sparkled, if it was red all the better. Char was independent and faithfully cut her tree across the street, proud to always haul it home herself, which she did through her final Christmas season.

She was predeceased by both of her parents as well as her sister-in-law, Cathy Forbes, who was a source of great joy and inspiration.

She is survived by her daughter, Abbi Lengyel and her partner Caydon Sieverding; her son, Ross Lengyel, his wife Lydia and their children Leni and Rocco Lengyel; as well as her former husband, Paul Lengyel, all of Middlebury.

Char was the oldest of an incredible sibling network who all survive her here in Vermont: Kelly Kelton (Bonnie Shaw), Kyle Kelton, Tanna Kelton (Danny Pflaster), Kammy Kelton (Bob Butler) and Kris Kelton. She is survived by her uncle and aunt, Howard and Linda Kelton of Middlebury, and her aunt and uncle Nancy and Jack Lebrun of Lebanon, N.H. She also leaves six nieces and nephews, three great nieces and two great nephews as well as many beloved and devoted friends.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, at the American Legion, 49 Wilson Road, Middlebury, VT 05753 from 12:00-3:30. ◊