Charlaine Whitelaw, age 82, formerly of New Canaan, died peacefully on May 1, 2017 at Brightview Assisted Living in Norwalk. She is the daughter of the late Gedeminis Karalus and Hulda Wittekind. She was predeceased by her husband Alan; her brothers George and Donald, and sister Carol. She is survived by her sister Marilyn Pajkos; her daughters Linda (Kerry) Smith, of New Canaan; and Lisa (Gary) Wehner, of Hartwick, NY. She had five grandchildren: Zachary and Rachel Smith, of New Canaan; and Christopher, Jennifer, and Samantha Wehner, of Hartwick, NY. As a young woman, she was hired as subscription manager of the newly founded Playboy Magazine. She went on to play a pivotal role in the success of Playboy when she became the first “Girl Next Door” centerfold under the pseudonym Janet Pilgrim, a name selected by Hugh Hefner for its puritanical connotations. Until Charlaine came along, in the two years since its inception, Playboy had strictly featured professional pin-ups, models and actresses. She agreed to be the July 1955 Playmate, and went on to achieve Playmate of the Month status twice more, in December 1955 and October 1956. Refusing jobs from outside agencies, Charlaine continued working for Playboy, her name remaining on the masthead as head of the reader’s services department for ten years. In the early ‘80s she attended college to become a registered nurse, and worked in geriatrics. She was active in her church, enjoyed spending time with her family -- especially her grandchildren; and loved spending time in her later years scrapbooking, researching her family tree, and playing blackjack at Mohegan Sun. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Charlaine’s memory to the American Cancer Society or Constellation Hospice, 14 Westport Rd., Norwalk, CT 06851 Services and interment are private. For online condolences visit www.hoytfuneralhome.com