On Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at the age of 64, our beloved Charmaine Zeretta Pugh transitioned to be with the Lord following a courageous nine yearlong battle with breast cancer.  Her husband Greg was by her side.

Charmaine was the daughter of the late Olymphia Tidwell "OT" McCullough and Shirley Harris Brown. Born on April 22, 1957, in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, she was the proud mother of two sons, Eric and Gibson. She was Greg's devoted wife for twenty-eight years.

Charmaine left an indelible mark as an advocate and a hard worker with high standards! She was a 1975 graduate of Coatesville Area Senior High School (CASH). She studied and became a Certified Surgical Technologist at the National School of Health and Technology in Philadelphia in 1987, graduating in the top 10% of her class, while working full time at Brandywine Hospital. For most of her career, she was a surgical technologist at Brandywine Hospital, Lancaster Regional Medical Center, Springfield Hospital and Nemours/ A.I duPont Hospital for Children and later an Emergency Service Liaison at Nemours. At times she also provided Clinical Instruction at Reading Hospital & Medical Center.

Charmaine's career in emergency medical services spanned over three decades. She was proud to have worked alongside an amazing group of world class Orthopedic surgeons in the operating room. In addition to orthopedics Charmaine assisted on surgeries throughout the human body including on many occasions the heart and brain.  In 2010, she began studying at Delaware Technical Community College (DTCC). She conducted a class assignment at (DTCC) that resulted in a new Surgical Technology Associate Degree Program at the college.  The program later earned the 2014 Galaxy Star Award. Charmaine transferred to Wilmington University and was one semester away from obtaining her bachelor's degree when breast cancer made it impossible to continue her education.

The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Charmaine, affectionately called "Char". She offered a level of optimism that was honest, heartfelt, and spilled over into all that she did. She loved live jazz and was an annual volunteer at the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival in Wilmington, Delaware. She enjoyed traveling with Greg each year to celebrate their anniversaries. Many vacations also included jazz and food festivals.  Char enjoyed teaching Greg how to cook and they eventually became a formidable duo in the kitchen. Char was part of many volunteer programs at A.I. duPont Hospital and assisted in fundraisers and supported various children's events.

Charmaine's love for life didn't end when she left this world behind, because those she loved will continue to honor her legacy by living their lives to the fullest. She is survived by her loving husband Gregory M. Pugh; Children: Eric M. Trowery and Gibson L. Trowery, both of Coatesville; Grandchildren: Eric Trowery, Jr., Ariana Trowery, Gibson Trowery Jr., Aakhir Trowery, Faith Johnson, and Chase Trowery; Great Grandchild: Eric Trowery, III; Mother: Shirley (Charles) Brown; Siblings: Rev. Randall Harris, Karen (Charles) Runner, Tamara (Bryant) Bookman, all of Coatesville, and Olympia McCullough of Rock Hill, SC; Mother-in-Love: Joan Allen of Exton, Sister-in-Love: Cassandra "Sis" Dutton, and Brothers-in-Love: Manuel Pugh and Michael Pugh, all of Coatesville; Uncle John W. Smith of Hopkins, SC and Aunt Elizabeth Franklin of Phila. PA.  She also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and beloved friends.

Charmaine was preceded in death by her father Olymphia McCullough, sister Adella Mae Harris, Father-in-Love Donald (Joan) Allen, and Sister-in Love Denise (Michael) Pugh.

A walk-thru public viewing will be held from 9:00 AM to 10:45 AM on Thursday, February 10, 2022, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 10 W Pleasant Grove Road, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19382.

Funeral service and interment will be held privately.

Click here beginning at 10:45 AM on Thursday 2/10 to WATCH THE SERVICE LIVE on Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RbaBQOMpX8

Family and friends may share condolences at the guestbook link on this memorial page.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christiana Care's Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute. Online donations can be made at https://giving.christianacare.org/ If you have any questions about making a gift or would like to mail a donation, please contact: ChristianaCare, Office of Development, 4000 Nexus Drive Suite W3-300, Wilmington, DE 19803, (302) 327-3305 , DevelopmentOffice@christianacare.org