Louise Charboneau, Brentwood resident who filed to run for mayor in April 2017, died peacefully Wednesday night, according to her daughter Michelle Charboneau.
Charboneau had been active in Brentwood politics the past several years. She recently fought to save city and residential trees, speaking at board of aldermen and architectural review board meetings.
Michelle Charboneau said her mother didn’t want a service or visitation but rather a party to celebrate her life. It hasn’t been planned.
According to a source, Charboneau had planned to use the slogan, “The Conscience of Brentwood” in her campaign for mayor.
In 2015, she wrote in 40 South, ‘The Importance of Voting.’
Charboneau had said she would take part in a League of Women Voters mayoral forum, planned for March 13 with candidate Barbara Clements. Mayor Chris Thornton is also a candidate, but hasn’t said if he would take part. If he declines the forum will now be canceled.
Many of the Madge Avenue neighbors want to express how sad we are to have lost Louise; our dear friend and active neighbor, who always had time to lend a helping hand, grab a cup of coffee, provide advice (on almost anything under the sun), and give you a straight answer. As several people have already expressed, she was the real deal and sincerely cared about the needs of the Bentwood citizens. Louise threw in her hat as a Mayoral candidate because she believed – she was as well informed as any of the elected officials, could listen and actively address residents’ concerns, and pledged to work full-time in the position to accomplish community goals. Louise would have been a remarkable opponent in the mayoral debate forum. We are very lucky to have had a friend and neighbor like Louise. She was giving, dedicated, smart, and willing to stand up and speak to the issues that she believed in. Louise leaves behind a life that we all cherished… she will be sorely missed!!
My thoughts and prayers for her family. I really enjoyed talking to Louise when she visited me. She will be missed. Fly high Louise.
Louise was my longtime neighbor and friend. Her and I have been through a lot together. She helped me almost daily with my dog Gracie and she was always there for me when I was sick or needed her for anything. I don’t think it has quite hit me yet that she is gone. I still find myself picking up the phone to call her. I want to thank everyone for the kind words. She did a lot for everyone on our street and for the City of Brentwood she worked tirelessly. I know her family and I appreciate the thoughts and prayers everyone has sent.
I will miss you my dear friend. Keep an eye on Lou for me, please.
Brentwood is a better place because of Mrs. Charboneau. Because she attended countless city meetings and researched countless city issues, the rest of us didn’t have to. We could trust her to do these things on our collective behalf and we could take comfort in the knowledge that if she discovered something questionable or wrong, she would alert us. Mrs. Charboneau brings to mind that wise observation by the late Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Thank you, Mrs. Charboneau, for being one of those thoughtful, committed citizens.
Thank you for the kind words. No truer words have been spoken about Louise. Louise was my neighbor and close friend. I miss her terribly and don’t think it has quite hit me yet that she is gone.
My condolences. I did not know her, but a buddy attended ward meetings with her and tells me she always asked questions others would not. Oak Tree Park where she is pictured is being turned over to contractors. Maybe this is a good thing if we want concrete play grounds, but it was also the last open space in the neighborhood for sledding, tossing freesbees, and enjoying the trees. Not much left…but yes..nice playground equipment, with plastic trees. Thank you Louise for asking the right questions.
I’m stunned! Sat next to her at the last BOA meeting. She was such an interesting AND interested person in our community. She will be sorely missed. My condolences to her family.
Such a wonderful woman who will truly be missed. She was a dear friend to us. Our hearts go out to her family. Rest in Peace, dear friend.
Sorry to hear this, I just spoke to her last month at a public focus group. She and her family are in our thoughts.
How sad. She was such a tireless defender of her city and it’s residents who was not afraid to stand up for what she believed was right.
Mega Dittos Cheryl! Louise was a good person and was attempting to become Mayor in an effort to help the little people, the people who own this city, but the people who no one on the BOA will listen too. The BOA hears us but does not listen and there is a difference between hearing and listening. Louise will keep an eye from Heaven watching our trees and may intervene when needed.
It was a pleasure and honor knowing Louise. She genuinely cared about our community, and was a “fighter” when need be. Many will miss her. Thoughts and prayers to her family.