Massachusetts, passed on to eternal life on Saturday, March 30. Mary was the daughter of the
late Joseph and Marie (Schoeber) Marchese of Middletown, Connecticut. Mary was born in
Middletown and lived there with her husband until their retirement in 1994. At that time they
moved to their dream home in Wellfleet, Massachusetts where Irving continues to reside.
Mary is survived by her husband, her children Susan Freimuth and her wife Desiree Jerrick of
Andover, Connecticut, and Paul Freimuth and his wife Mia Jacob of East Setauket, New York;
and grandchildren Andrew Freimuth of East Setauket and Erika Freimuth of Cambridge,
Massachusetts.
Mary was a joyful, talented and loving woman who lived life to the fullest and encouraged all
those around her to do the same. She was especially fond of children and had a long career as
a Montessori teacher and VISTA volunteer in public and private schools in Middletown. She led
Girl Scout troops for 13 years in Middletown. Spending time with her grandchildren was a
special delight. She loved introducing them to all the special places she loved on the Cape. To
her grandchildren, she was known as “Oma”, and she became known to many others by that
name as well.
Music was a great love of Mary’s life. She was blessed with a beautiful singing voice and
participated in choral groups at churches in Connecticut and at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in
Harwich, Massachusetts. She was also active in community choral groups in Connecticut, and
the Chatham Music Club on the Cape.
Mary was an active member of churches in Connecticut and on the Cape throughout her life.
She and Irving joined St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Harwich upon their move to the Cape,
where Mary led the Esther Circle group from the first day she attended a meeting until shortly
before her death. Mary also enjoyed the fellowship of the Chapel of St. James the Fisherman in
Wellfleet during the summer months.
An enthusiastic fan of New England sports teams, Mary cheered loyally for the Red Sox, the
Patriots, and her favorite team, UConn Huskies Women’s Basketball.
Mary and Irving enjoyed traveling, and took many wonderful trips, especially during their
retirement years. Trips to Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii were highlights. They also
traveled to Germany, Poland, Holland and Italy to spend time with family and visit cultural and
natural destinations. They looked forward to spending winter months in warmer climates,
including Florida, Galveston, and Palm Springs.
Mary loved the natural world and all, or most, of its creatures. She rarely missed an opportunity
to greet the rising full moon at White Crest Beach in Wellfleet. A blue moon was an occasion for
a campfire on the beach, preferably with marshmallows. She loved to watch hummingbirds at
the feeder and bluebirds in the nesting boxes in her back yard. She loved all the pets in the
family and in the neighborhood.
She was skilled at handicrafts as well, knitting many
handsome sweaters for her family and a complete set of personalized Christmas stockings for
family members on both sides of the Atlantic. She learned basketmaking and crafted beautiful
baskets for her home and others.
Mary’s talents in the kitchen were much appreciated by her family and friends. She loved to
cook and to entertain family and friends in her home. She appreciated the flavors of good food
and was a big fan of Wellfleet oysters. A great meal in great company were among her life’s
greatest pleasures.
Mary touched the lives of many wherever she went. She will be sorely missed by her family and
her many friends in many places. We are deeply thankful for the privilege of sharing her time on
earth.
A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 310 Rt. 137,
Harwich, Massachusetts on April 22, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. Her family will greet friends at the
church prior to the service beginning at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery in
Middletown, Connecticut on a date to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to the Organ Fund of St. Peter’s
Lutheran Church, 310 Rt. 137, Harwich, MA 02645.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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