We Remember Those We Have Lost

BERLIN -- Charlotte “Charlie” Claypool left this life on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011 after battling cancer for more than a year.

A young Charlotte loved theater and the performing arts, often accompanying her mother to enjoy a show or musical. As she grew older, “Charlie” could be seen performing during the Baltimore Colts half-time shows. In the early 70s, while working at the Playboy Club, this free spirited, stunning beauty earned the distinction of being the 1972 2nd runner-up Playboy Bunny of the Year.

In 1990, Charlie met and married her soul mate, Jeff Claypool. Jeff and Charlie shared a mutual love of travel, adventure and the outdoors. They enjoyed the RV life, visiting one of their favorite palaces, Disney World, eight times. Their love of camping eventually led them to Frontier Town Campground near Ocean City where they’ve held seasonal jobs for several years, and made lasting friendships with many who became like family. Charlie’s interest in her Native American heritage and her love of nature made Frontier Town the perfect place to park the “bus” she shared with Jeff and her pet Chinese water dragon, Willsey.

When diagnosed with stage 4 cancer at the end of the summer in 2010, a defiant Charlie was determined not to let cancer keep her from returning to Frontier Town the following spring, feistily informing everyone that she would be going back to work at the golf hut. Despite the odds, Charlie could be seen riding through the campground all this summer on her souped up golf cart, waving to friends on her way to and from work. Charlie proudly took part in the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of North Worcester, walking the Survivor’s opening lap after Jeff had shared the story of their cancer journey with the crowd. Charlie will be deeply missed, but family and friends take comfort in knowing she is pain and cancer free, somewhere waiting for them by the pool basking in the warm sunlight.

Along with her father, she is survived by her husband, Jeff C. Claypool; sons, Adam Dubuque and his wife Niki of St. Petersburg, Fla. and Devin Lascola of Old Mill, Md.; eight grandchildren; and a brother, Floyd Wadsworth and his wife Marilyn of Churchville, Md.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, Oct. 30 at noon at Frontier Town Campground. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Northern Worcester County, PO Box 163, Salisbury, Md. 21803. Arrangements are being handled by the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.