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Charlene Gilchrist
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Charlene Zehner Gilchrist died Monday, September 12, at the Covenant Village Care Center in Turlock. She was 89 years old. 

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Mrs. Gilchrist and her husband also raised their family in the LA area, moving to Turlock upon their retirement.

A lifelong violinist, Mrs. Gilchrist played with the Hollywood Baby Orchestra when she was a child. She went on to perform for LA radio programs and numerous motion picture soundtracks in the 1940’s. At the end of WWII she toured the South Pacific as a member of a female USO orchestra. Other highlights included the Whittier Symphony and various church groups. Locally she enjoyed working with the Townsend Opera Players and Modesto Performing Arts.

Charlene was preceded in death by William “Bill” Gilchrist, her husband of 54 years. Survivors include daughters, Hildy Heath of San Francisco and Laurie Doerksen of Turlock; granddaughters, Shannon Heath of Denver, Stephanie Heath of San Francisco and Kate Doerksen Goblirsch of Turlock, and great-granddaughters, Gabriella and Madeleine DuBois of Denver.

The family would like to thank the staff at Covenant Village Care Center for their many kindnesses and loving care of Charlene during the time she made her home there.

Private service and burial will be Friday, September 23, at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery.