Barbara Jean Freeman

Barbara Jean Freeman (nee Stein), while faithfully confident of her destination into The Lord’s presence, passed away peacefully on February 25, 2020 at the age of 93. She was surrounded by her loved ones at her care home in Newport Beach.

Barbara is survived by her daughters, Lucy Arnold and Laurie Freeman Young, their spouses, along with her three grandchildren Brady Sewall, Rachel & Jordan Young, and three great grandchildren Vivianna Sewall, Dalia & Naomi Schorr, as well as nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Sandy Freeman, and her brother, Robert (Bob) Stein.

Barbara was born on December 9, 1926 in San Diego to Ruth and Frank Stein. She graduated from Hoover High School in 1944 and attended San Diego State before transferring to Woodbury Design College in Los Angeles. She married Sanford Freeman, her sweetheart from college, in 1948. After moving to the San Fernando Valley, the couple welcomed two daughters into their lives and set about bringing them up simply, with real-life values and rich family experiences. Even as she lived away from San Diego, she maintained a special and close bond with her mother.

Barbara, her children and husband, each welcomed Christ as their personal savior and were baptized together May 26, 1968. Her decision played a major role in the rest of her life.

Antiques played a major role in Barbara’s life. In 1972, Barbara and Sandy bought an antique store in Corona del Mar called “The Memory Box”. After they sold the store, they bought a motorhome and traveled around the country, selling antiques to fund their travels.

Barbara was an accomplished volunteer. She worked in the Girls Service Organization (GSO), the PTA, and the Girl Scouts, in which she led her own troop and focused on community service. Later, she volunteered countless hours at her church and Oasis, her local senior center. Her children and grandchildren remembered her fondness for sewing, square dancing, couponing, and crossword puzzles. She loved being a grandmother and was devoted to teaching her grandchildren of God’s love.

A small service will be scheduled in the near future with a reception to follow (as world events dictate). All are welcome to attend and celebrate Barbara's life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to worldvision.org. The family would like to especially thank her caregiver, Minda, for her care and devotion.