Charlotte Stall

Charlotte D. Stall, of Denver, CO, passed away on Sunday, March 22, after a spirited and courageous battle with multiple health challenges.

Born October 2, 1944, the daughter of Charles and Clara Stall of Vandalia, OH, Charlotte graduated from Ohio State University with a B.S. degree in dietetics and institution management. She served an internship at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, TX, and later earned an M.A. in journalism from Ohio State University.

In 1977, after working at hospitals in Chicago and Columbus, she followed her dream of being close to the Rocky Mountains and moved to Denver, where she was employed as a home economist with the Public Service Company of Colorado, developing and conducting nutrition and cooking programs for the community.

In 1980, she began a long and successful career with University Hospital and Children's Hospital, serving in a variety of capacities including registered dietitian, instructor and researcher. Charlotte developed particular expertise in counselling patients with pulmonary, kidney and liver disease, immunodeficiency and AIDS. Highly respected by both her colleagues and patients, she especially treasured the close, long-lasting bonds she formed with many of her patients and their families.

During those years and until her retirement she was active in the American Dietetics Association, the Colorado Dietetics Association and the Denver Dietetics Association. She gave numerous professional presentations and wrote or co-authored many scientific and research articles to advance the knowledge of others. Her last publication was a contribution of a different sort. In 2017, her poem entitled Body Building was selected for The Human Touch: The Journal of Poetry, Prose and Visual Art (vol.10), published by the Arts and Humanities in Health Care Program at University of Colorado School of Medicine. The poem recounts the touching story of a patient born with a rare kidney condition, who, as a healthy teen, sends her a picture of his strapping self on which he has written, "Body by Charlotte", a tribute to her years of counsel, support and encouragement.

Charlotte loved the mountains, ethnic foods, movies, tennis, books and her many friends who shared those interests. An avid biker, she was especially proud that she was able to complete the seven-day, 443-mile Ride the Rockies event in 1991 and participate multiple times in the Courage Classic benefiting Children's Hospital.

In retirement, she volunteered with her local branch of the Arapahoe County Public Library. After being diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, she became an ardent advocate for those battling Parkinson's. In 2016, she co-founded the J.P. Reading Club, named in recognition of Dr. James Parkinson. The group was designed to share books and motivational resources about living with a chronic disease and the impact of Parkinson's on women. The group was recently renamed Charlotte's Book Club in her honor.

Charlotte is survived by uncles, aunts and cousins in Ohio and Florida, countless friends across the country, and a steadfast "family of friends" (whom Charlotte called "my team") in Denver who surrounded her with their support during her final years.

In honor of her lifelong dedication to health and nutrition, those who wish to might make a contribution to their local food bank or to a charity of their choice.