Toni Elena (Bartolotta) Charest
1945 - 1995
Toni Elena (Bartolotta) Charest, 50, of Meriden, died Thursday (March 23, 1995) at the Veterans Memorial Hospital in Meriden. She was born in Middletown, and had been an investigator for the State of Connecticut. She was a member of NAAFA, Dance Educators of America, and the Hole in the Wall Theatre Group. She is survived by her husband, Raoul Charest; her parents, Tony L. and Helen M. Bartolotta; two stepsons, Michael R. Charest of Meriden, and Kevin J. Charest of Southington; a stepdaughter, Tami Ford of Meriden; a brother, Michael S. Bartolotta of Marlborough; a sister, Suzanne Marthins of Brasher Falls, N.Y.; a stepgrandchild, Ariel Ford of Meriden; a niece, Prudence Chapman of Middletown; three nephews, Joshua Chapman of Brasher Falls, N.Y., Jeremy and Christopher Bartolotta, both of Marlborough. She also leaves a faithful companion, her dog, Shadow.
Fred & Toni Charest
After graduating high school, Toni spent a few years traveling and resided in Los Angeles, CA and Boston, MA. Upon returning to CT, she obtained a position as a senior investigator for the State Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities.
Pursuing her interest in the performing arts, she became a certified teacher in ballroom dancing and opened her own dance studio in Cromwell called 'The Dance Business', in partnership with her mother. It was through her business that she eventually met and married Fred Charest, a ballroom dance instructor. She was also active in a community musical theatre group, 'Hole in the Wall' in New Britain, and directed shows for a dinner theatre in Windsor.
Toni had no children of her own, but was very close with her niece and nephews and enjoyed spending time with her family. Although illness cut short the life of this amazing woman, she was able to realize many of her goals. She is greatly missed by her family and friends.