Gladys E. Freeman

GAITHERSBURG, MD —- Gladys E. Freeman, 93, of Gaithersburg, MD, passed away November 23, 2022, at her home with her family comforting her by her side.

Born September 1, 1929, in Brooklyn, she was the daughter of the late Norman Robert and Violet Ida Brown. On October 24, 1948, at Saint Thomas Episcopal Church in Bellerose, she married George Anthony Freeman III, who predeceased her on August 10, 1983.

Gladys was a graduate of Sewanhaka High School in Floral Park, Class of 1947. Later, Gladys worked for the Celanese Fabrics Company in the Garment District of NYC as a secretary until starting a family and becoming a full-time mom.  She was a parishioner of Saint George’s Episcopal Church in Hempstead.

While George was a Sergeant on the Nassau County Police Force, Gladys, and her husband were very active in special events and activities associated with the Nassau County Police Department and the Nassau County Police Benevolent Association (NCPBA). Gladys continued to support the NCPBA well after her husband’s retirement and passing. During her free time, she enjoyed reading mystery and historical romance novels, and completing sudoku and crossword puzzles.

Summertime vacations were very special for the Freemans. Every year, Gladys and her family spent time at their vacation house in Farmersville. They visited extended family members (Shermans) in Olean, where her husband George was born and raised, and other relatives (Harwoods) and close friends (Laws) in Farmersville. Gladys enjoyed blueberry, blackberry, and currant picking, as well as canning those berries into jellies. She loved sightseeing at local state parks, taking in the scenery, and having bonfires and stargazing outside of the house.

Gladys took great pride in watching her kids and grandchildren participating in school plays, recitals, marching band performances, and at high school and college graduations. Gladys was also an excellent seamstress, and enjoyed making dresses, and Halloween costumes for her kids and grandkids, as well as crafts for family and friends.

Gladys was a strong willed, independent, and caring wife, mom, and grandmother. She stood by her husband’s side when he suffered a heart attack. She assumed the lead role as family caretaker when her husband passed away, helped raise her daughter’s son, cared for her husband’s mother (Lena) till passing, and managed and planned her family’s move from Hempstead to her current residence in Gaithersburg, MD, as well as building a new family vacation home in Farmersville.

Gladys leaves behind three children, Robert (Lorraine) Freeman of Gaithersburg, Maryland, June Balke of Bedford, New Hampshire, and Susan (Joseph) Carley of Gaithersburg, Maryland; five grandchildren Katherine Freeman, Marc Freeman and Emily Balke, and Daniel and Jamie Carley; two loving nephews William and Scott Staubitzer; as well as long-time friends.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her sister, Eleanor Lucille Staubitzer.

Friends will be received at the Guenther Funeral Home, Inc., 1303 E. State Street, Olean on Monday (December 5, 2022) from 10am-noon. Funeral services will begin at noon in the funeral home.  Rev. Kim Rossi, rector of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church will officiate. Burial will follow in Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Olean.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Nassau County Police Department Foundation, 734 Franklin Ave. #189, Garden City, NY, 11530 and/or other preferred charitable organizations.

Online condolences can be expressed at www.guentherfh.com.