AnneMarie "Honey" Freres

AnneMarie “Honey” Freres passed away on December 7th, 2016, in Portland, Oregon. She was born on March 1st, 1951, in Chicago, Illinois, to her parents: Joseph Martin and Mary Anne (Jurcyk) Szczesny. She was the youngest of four children. She attended Notre Dame High School for Girls, from which she graduated in 1969. Following her graduation from High School, she began her college studies at Drake University. She then transferred to Wright Jr. College, and ultimately, she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.A. from Northeastern Illinois State University in June of 1974, with a major in Sociology and minors in Political Science and Psychology.

On September 7th, 1974, AnneMarie married the love of her life, Lawrence Peter Freres, at Our Lady of Fatima Mission Church in Chicago, Illinois. Together, they had two children.

In May of 1976, AnneMarie and Larry moved to California. They spent one year there, and then ultimately moved to the Sandy and Gresham area. AnneMarie began her work for the U.S Railroad Retirement Board in 1975, while they were still living in Chicago. She transferred to the Portland Office in June of 1977. She spent the last six years as the District Manager, before retiring in July of 2011 after 36 years of service. During her time with the Railroad Retirement Board, AnneMarie was awarded “Employee of the Year”, in honor of her outstanding service to the company.

AnneMarie was very involved in her community, and her family is proud of her achievements. She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Gresham VFW Post #180, and Sergeant McDowells Military Relief (SMMR). She was an avid reader, and a member of the Gresham Page Turners, and the AAUW. However, AnneMarie’s greatest accomplishment came about as the result of the premature death of her son, Michael. On the first anniversary of his death, AnneMarie, along with Larry and Regina, hosted the first annual “Mike’s Kids Day”, which is an event that takes place at Oaks Amusement Park. This event is hosted to support the grieving children and families of the Dougy Center.

AnneMarie was preceded in death by her son, Michael; and her parents, Joseph and Mary. She is survived by her loving husband, Larry Freres, of Gresham; her daughter, Regina Freres, of Wilsonville; her sisters, Helen Shultz of Hot Springs, Arkansas, Betty Wolf of Las Vegas, and Rose Podlesny of Chicago; brother in law, Fred Freres of Memphis; loving sister in law, Diane Okrzesik of Georgetown, Indiana; as well as three grandboys, Payton and Kellen Erickson, and Byron Freres; as well as Byron’s sister, Alesha, and daughter in love, Christina Mudica.

A Memorial Service in AnneMaries honor will be held on Saturday, January 7th, 2017, at 12 pm at the VFW Hall, located at 150 W Powell Boulevard in Gresham.

Memorial contributions in Anne's honor can be made to the VFW Ladies Auxiliary or to the Mike's Kids Day Fund, C/O Larry Freres, 437 SW Wilson Court, Gresham, Oregon 97080.