Charlene Weiss

Streaming of the  Private Celebration of Life will be found on www.cathedralinternational.org as well as the Cathedral International Facebook Page.

Alonzo J. and Jennie M. Taylor welcomed their first child, Charlene Taylor, to the world on January 21, 1953 in Bronx, New York. She resided in the Bronx for 12 years, before relocating with her family to New Jersey, where they made Plainfield their home. 

Charlene received her formal education from Plainfield High School (1971). Upon graduating, she made the decision to further her studies at St. Augustine University (North Carolina) where she was a founding member of the New Jersey chapter of Swing Phi Swing. She was affectionately known to her college friends as "Shot." During her junior year of college, she returned home to assist with caring for her mother. 

Recognizing her gift of caring for those in need, Charlene began working at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center (VA-Lyons), where she continued to serve for 36 years until her retirement in 2012. 

While working at the VA-Lyons Medical Center, Charlene met the love of her life, Francis Steven Weiss Jr. in 1977.  They were wedded in holy matrimony on January 26, 1980, and recently celebrated their 40 year anniversary while on a jazz cruise. Steve and Charlene have been residents of Piscataway, New Jersey since 1990. 

Never losing sight of her educational aspirations, Charlene pursued her Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) certificate while working at the VA Medical Center. She continued her educational journey at Raritan Valley Community College, where she became a Registered Nurse (RN), and ultimately attained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from New Jersey City University in 2008. Charlene's unwavering focus allowed her to fulfill her educational dreams while also prioritizing the demands of marriage, motherhood, and work.

Her affiliations in the nursing field were vast, and in her free time, Charlene could be seen volunteering as a nurse throughout the state. She was a proud founding member of the Mid-State Black Nurses Association and most recently, Charlene became a founding member of the New Jersey Integrated Black Nurses Association. She also enjoyed volunteering her time with the Sister Network of NJ (now called Sister2Sister). 

Charlene's faith in God was steadfast and served as the foundation on which her life was built. Although traditionally raised in the Catholic faith, Charlene was later introduced to the Christian Baptist church while attending St. John's Baptist (Scotch Plains, NJ), where she served in the choir.

Charlene and Steve were blessed with two children Stephanie Francine Weiss and Francis Steven Weiss III, whom they loved and cherished. Charlene embraced every moment with her children, and was their biggest supporter. She instilled strong values of prayer, generosity and love that have served her children well. 

The Weiss family first attended Christian Fellowship Gospel Church (Plainfield, NJ), where she and her husband were originally ordained as Deacons. 

Charlene’s dedication to serving the Kingdom of God continued after joining the ministry of Cathedral International (then, the Second Baptist Church, Perth Amboy, NJ) in 1988. Charlene, along with her husband, were ordained as Deacons in 1995 under Bishop Donald Hilliard Jr.. A faithful member for over 30 years, Charlene served in various capacities of the ministry--from baptism, to volunteer nursing, assisting with trustee duties, as well as a member of the women's fellowship, just to name a few. At Cathedral International, the Weiss family formed lifelong bonds that have endured to the present day. 

Charlene was a fun-loving, well-dressed and well-rounded woman. Her love of travel was evident in the annual cruises that she took with her husband since 1995. Charlene loved to be surrounded by family and friends and enjoyed entertaining guests in her home. Shopping was one of her favorite past times. If you had the pleasure of spending time with Charlene, you always left with a special gift from one of her shopping trips. 

Charlene is predeceased by her father Alonzo J. Taylor, mother Jennie M. Taylor, and her brother Alonzo J. ("Butchie") Taylor III. 

She leaves to cherish many fond and precious memories a loving husband, Francis Steven Weiss Jr; two children Stephanie F. Weiss and Francis Steven Weiss III; one daughter-in-love, Charisse Weiss; two granddaughters, Stevie J. and Charlie J. Weiss; one sister-in-law, Ms. Kathy Hatcher, and a host of nieces and nephews.

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