Ilene M. Freitas

February 22, 1932 – March 28, 2012

Ilene Freitas, 80, of Tracy, passed away peacefully on March 28th at her home.

Ilene was born and raised in Tracy, California. She attended Jefferson School and graduated from Tracy High School in 1949. After graduation, she attended Business School in Stockton, Ca.

On December 9, 1951 she married Leslie J. Freitas. They were the second couple and the first Portuguese Couple to be married at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church’s' new location at 163 W. Eaton Ave., they loved the new church.

In her early years, Ilene enjoyed sewing, bowling, water skiing, swing dancing and Portuguese Chamarita. In later years, she enjoyed gardening, trips to the casino, quilting, plastic canvas and she was the Queen of “Computer Spider Solitaire.” Ilene loved family photos and they are proudly displayed in abundance in her home. She enjoyed her beautiful Lladro collection, and her unique collection of dinner bells. Over the years, she collected a wide variety of cookbooks! If you needed a recipe, you could always count on her to find it. She truly enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.

She was a member of Portuguese Fraternal Society of America, Fraternal Council No. 13 of Tracy, Fraternal Council No. 26 of Stevinson/Turlock/Hilmar and a Charter Member of Fraternal Council No. 108 of Madera.

Her early office experience included employment with Travelers Insurance, KOVR Channel 13’s “Mayor Art” Show as an administrative assistant in the mid 1950’s, then H. J. Heinz, Holly Sugar, Johnson Tire Rim & Wheel. In 1977, Ilene and Les founded Freitas Electric Inc. In 1978, they purchased the Brichetto building formerly the Banta General Store and Post Office and moved the business to this location. They continued working together and expanding the business until they retired in 1999.

Ilene is survived by her three daughters, Sharmayne (Sheri) Rasberry, of Tracy, Tina Garcia, and her husband, Steve, of Blythe, CA, Tammi Koster, and her husband, Andy, of Tracy; sister Maybelle Duckworth, of Modesto, brother Richard J. Castro, of Modesto, sister-in-Law Barbara Castro, of Tracy; six grandchildren: Charise Kirby of Stockton, Melinda Watson, and her husband, Jeremy, of Naperville, IL, Stephen Garcia, Jr., and his wife, Fontine, of Lomita, CA, Sarah Garcia, of Chicago, IL, Nicolaus Koster and Vincent Koster of Tracy, and four great grandchildren, Brandon La Rose and Travis Kirby of Stockton and Taylor and Sloane Watson of Naperville, IL.

lene was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Les Freitas, her brother Frank Castro, Jr. and her parents Frank & Mabel Castro.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on April 2, 2012 at 11:30 am St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, 163 W. Eaton Ave., Tracy, CA 95376. A rosary and vigil were held on Monday, April 2, 2012 at 7:00 pm,, Whitehurst, Norton & Dias Funeral Chapel, 286 W. Main Street, Turlock, CA 95380.

She will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mrs. Freitas’ name may be sent to the St. Bernard’s Catholic Church Building Fund 163 W. Eaton Ave., Tracy, CA; Optimal Hospice Care, 1101 Sylvan Ave., Ste B-10, Modesto, CA 95350; American Cancer Society, 1604 Ford Ave., Suite 8, Modesto, CA 95350.

Funeral service were under the direction of Whitehurst, Norton and Dias Funeral Service of Turlock, (209) 634-4904.

If you wish to visit the online guestbook, website, www.whitehurstnortondiasfunerals.com.