School’s never out for this great-great-grandmother
Expand
Damian Lonnee wanted to do something special for the birthday girl, but he couldn’t decide what to get for the woman who has — and does — everything.
After all, his 95-year-old grandma, Charlotte Lonnee, is a world traveler, having climbed the steps of the Parthenon in Greece at age 83.
She’s the family’s genealogist, tracing their roots to the 1700s in Braun, Germany.
She was awarded the 2014 Garden Grove Silver Spoon for volunteer work.
And she has seven children, six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Ultimately, Damian Lonnee, 42, an adjunct professor at Marian University in Wisconsin, decided to celebrate his grandmother’s love of education and honor her for inspiring family members to keep going to school.
She has been taking noncredit adult classes for the past 40 years, 10 of those at Santiago Canyon College in Orange.
So, on Charlotte Lonnee’s birthday Monday, Jan. 14, Jose Vargas, interim vice president of continuing education at Santiago Canyon, issued his student a certificate commemorating her commitment to lifelong learning. Classmates, along with family who traveled from all over the United States, cheered her accomplishment.
“I feel sorry for people who get bored, because I don’t understand them,” said Charlotte Lonnee, who currently is enrolled in two quilting classes and a watercolor class.
Her youngest son, Patrick Lonnee, 51, said his mom always takes on projects “larger than life,” watching documentaries and DIY shows and learning how to do things.
“She then helps her kids do it,” Patrick said.
Charlotte Lonnee, a two-time cancer survivor, has taken on carpentry projects such as installing crown molding and painting fences. She handmade 56 party favors for guests at her birthday party at Sherman Library & Gardens in Corona del Mar.
Lonnee’s daughter, Lisa Ingoglia, 57, of Mission Viejo, recently retired and is attending quilting classes with her mom at Santiago Canyon. “She likes to do special things with each kid,” Ingoglia said.
Needless to say, Charlotte Lonnee likes to keep busy, even knitting while she’s sitting.
“Love each day,” she said. “Always look forward. Enjoy what you see.”