Charlene K. Given

Charlene Given, 80, passed away on Sunday, March 13, 2022 at her home in Augusta, Georgia. Charlene was born in Maryland to Pat Kennedy and Ruth Bond Kennedy and grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. After graduating Central Catholic High School in 1959, she pursued her dream of being a nurse at the St. Vincent Hospital School of Nursing in Jacksonville, Florida.

She was a dedicated ICU nurse, and while furthering her studies at a graduate program at Duke University Hospital, met her future husband and love of her life, Dr. Kenna Given. They were inseparable, raising three children together. They were married for 56 years.

She was a talented writer and avid traveler. She was always up for adventure, from hopping off boats in the Galapagos Islands to climbing temple steps in Tibet. But most of all, she was devoted to her family. Her son's college friends joked that he was the only guy who arrived to school neatly packed. She cared for her daughters through physically challenging pregnancies, and supported her husband through his tour in Vietnam when her children were very young. And she radiated joy in the company of her grandchildren, taking delight in their lives and milestones. She was, quite simply, the cornerstone of her clan.

She is survived by her husband Kenna, sister Katie Terrell, daughter Kari (Phil) Wislar, son Patrick (Zoë) Given, daughter Amy (Mike) Pedulla and six grandchildren: Maddie Wislar, Luke Pedulla, Benjamin Kenna Wislar, Andrew Pedulla, Orla Given and Kit Given.

The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors: 214 Davis Rd. Augusta, Ga. 30907.