El Cerrito Resident, Mystery Writer Dies

By Leslie Weir

Charlene Weir, El Cerrito resident for over 50 years, died April 4, 2015. She was born November 10, 1937 in Nortonville, Kansas, the seventh and youngest child of the late George and Clara Kettner. Charlene graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1955 and received her nursing certification from the state of Oklahoma in 1959.

She settled in the Bay Area shortly after and had two children, Chris and Leslie. After an early diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis, Charlene abandoned nursing and turned her love of reading and puzzles into a career as a mystery writer. Her first novel, The Winter Widow, won the St. Martin’s Malice Domestic contest for best first mystery and was nominated for an Anthony Award. The six novels that followed featured Kansas Chief-of-Police, Susan Wren.

Charlene said of her strong female protagonist, “Susan is intelligent and competent, any doubts or uncertainties are hidden beneath a cloak of cool confidence. She solves her own problems effectively. She doesn’t get rescued. She gets herself out of the burning building.”

In many ways, this was the perfect description of Charlene herself. Charlene’s final novel, Unknown Footprints, has been posthumously published. When she wasn’t writing, Charlene enjoyed playing the piano, looking after her two beloved cats, and visiting with her grandchildren. She was known for her sharp wit and quick sense of humor. She is survived by her two children, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. A memorial will be held at 11:00 am on May 16 at St Alban’s Church, 1501 Washington Ave. Albany CA 9470. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Milo Foundation.