Charlene Troch

Charlene Troch, of Hilton Head Island, SC and Chicago, IL passed away peacefully on May 13, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was 90 years old.

Charlene was born in Texas on March 22, 1936. Her life journey took her from Texas to Chicago and eventually to Hilton Head Island, where she built a beautiful life alongside her late husband, Robert W. Troch Jr.

In her early years, Charlene was a professional figure skater whose grace and spirit stayed with her long after her time on the ice. She was also an accomplished tennis player, achieving a 4.0 rating. Charlene loved life at sea, eventually earning her captain’s license. But more than anything, she loved great movies and treasured the experience of sharing favorite films and stories with the people she loved the most.

In 1959, Charlene agreed to go on a blind date with a former Naval Petty Officer, Robert W. Troch Jr. It was the beginning of a lifelong love story. The two were married later that summer and remained devoted to one another until Bob’s passing in December 2020. Together, they made their first home in Des Plaines, IL before moving to Riverwoods, IL to raise their three children.

In 1982, Charlene and Bob took a trip to Hilton Head Island, SC where they instantly fell in love with the island and decided to officially make it their second home. Together they enjoyed trips on their boat, hosting unforgettable parties in their home, and pursuing their passions that brought them joy. One of Charlene’s greatest passions was fashion, which inspired her to open her own boutique, C.T. Moonbeams, a carefully curated shop filled with her favorite clothing and accessories. Whether tending to flowers, planning a new garden, or perfecting every detail of a lawn, Charlene always found joy in creating beauty outdoors.

She is survived by her daughter, Kelly Ogden (Christopher), of Hilton Head Island, SC and her son, Brian Troch (Jennifer), of Sturgeon Bay, WI. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Lyndsay Van Woert, Mackenzie and Abigail Ogden; Georgia Troch; and Michael and Parker Troch; and two great-grand-children, Leighton and Luke Van Woert. She is preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Robert W. Troch Jr.; her son, Robert W. Troch III (Grace Wong), and her sister, Billie Jean Riefstahl.

So, dust off the MacKenzie-Childs dishes, pour yourself a Maker’s Mark, and raise a toast to Charlene.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, May 20,2026, from 2-4 pm at The Island Funeral Home on Hilton Head and her funeral services will be private. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation to https://usfigureskating.org/sports/2025/8/22/memorial-fund.aspx