Charlene Anne Zaher

Zaher, Charlene Anne - Age 86, of Rochester Hills, MI, formerly of Linden, died peacefully surrounded by family on October 29, 2023, at Bellbrook Assisted Living in Rochester Hills. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Rev. David Harvey, 11 AM Wednesday, November 8, 2023 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 600 N. Adelaide St., Fenton (a live stream of the Funeral Mass will be available on Charlene's obituary page at sharpfuneralhomes.com). Visitation will be held at the church for one hour before the Mass. Burial will follow at St. John Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held from  3 PM - 7 PM Monday, November 6, 2023 at Potere-Modetz Funeral Home, 339 Walnut Blvd., Rochester, MI 483047. A visitation will also be held 1 PM - 8 PM Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at Sharp Funeral Homes, Fenton Chapel, 1000 W. Silver Lake Rd., Fenton, MI 48430. The rosary will be prayed at 7 PM Tuesday night. Charlene was born June 1, 1937, in Flint, MI, to Bridget Anne (Ernest) and Fergus Brown, their oldest daughter and one of seven children. She graduated from St. Matthew Catholic High School in Flint in 1955. Charlene cherished friendships with many high school friends all her life. On October 29, 1960, Charlene married Joseph Zaher, Jr. They had six children and six grandchildren. They were married for 52 years. She was a constant source of support and encouragement and a tireless advocate for her family. Charlene’s grandchildren called her “Nana.” She loved to play Monopoly and Go Fish. Her mac and cheese and Oreo cookie dessert are legendary. Charlene started her working life at Perry Printing in Flint and worked for the Flint Public Schools and the Genesee County Health Department, where she served as a union steward. She retired in 1999. A faithful Catholic, Charlene was a member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Flint; St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Fenton; and St. Mary of the Hills Catholic Church, Rochester Hills. Charlene was a longtime member of Alcoholics Anonymous and celebrated 43 years of sobriety last August. She was a beloved sponsor of women in AA and had deep friendships with men and women in recovery. Charlene is survived by her daughter, Julia Zaher of Saline; daughter Theresa (Zaher) Lyons and granddaughters Jade and Sarah of Rochester Hills; son Joseph Zaher and wife Noelle Diederich of Boise, ID; daughter Katie (Zaher) Heath, husband Steven Heath, and granddaughter Kylee of Prairie du Sac, WI.; son James Zaher, wife Holly Rankin Zaher, and grandchildren Eleanor, Benedict, and Basil of Evansville, IN. She is also survived by her sister Dorothy Stimac of Flint, MI, sister Mardi Sedick and husband Jim of Macomb, MI. She leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews and their children. Charlene was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Zaher, Jr. and their infant son, John Patrick, along with her parents, Fergus and Bridget Anne Brown, brothers Donald, Joseph, and Robert Brown, sister Jeanette (Brown) Peppin, sister-in-law Connie (Kusz) Brown, sister-in-law Veronica Serra and husband, Joseph Serra. The family extends its heartfelt thanks to all who visited Charlene after she moved to Bellbrook Assisted Living last spring, to the staff of Bellbrook Assisted Living and Heart to Heart Hospice, who took such good care of her. Contributions in Charlene’s memory may be made to The Society of St. Vincent de Paul at St. John’s Catholic Church in Fenton  (https://ppay.co/z_4D5P_j1qs)

Friends and family may share an online tribute on the obituary page of www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.