Freda Litman

Freda Litman (age 95), a native of New York City who later made her home in Rockville, Maryland, passed away in Frederick, Maryland on February 16, 2025. Beloved wife of the late Philip Litman and father of Diane Litman and Eric Litman, Freda is also survived by her son-in-law Mark Kahrs, daughter-in-law Randi Litman, and grandchildren Noah Kahrs, Sarah Litman, and Ryan Litman. Graveside Services will be held on Wednesday February 19 at Parklawn Memorial Park and Menorah Gardens, Rockville, Maryland.

Freda was born in 1929 in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, where her father was stationed as a sailor. She was the second child of Harry and Augusta Grumet. Freda grew up in the Inwood neighborhood of the Manhattan borough of New York City, although during the depression she lived in Ellenville, NY while her father worked in the CCC. Freda was an excellent student and attended PS 152, Junior High 52, and Hunter High School. After her father died in 1947, Freda went to work for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and attended Hunter College at night. Her mother died shortly thereafter in 1948. At Hunter, before graduating in 1952, Freda met her future husband Philip at a Hillel square dance in 1950. They were married in 1952, and had two children.

Freda and Philip lived in Freda’s Inwood apartment until 1958, then moved to Queens where they purchased a cooperative apartment at Queensview West in Long Island City with a spectacular view of Manhattan. They also purchased a co-op summer bungalow in Livingston Manor, NY (in the Catskills), where Freda and the kids spent two summers and Philip would drive up for long weekends. In 1962, Freda and Philip moved to Plainview, NY (Long Island) and purchased their first home in Morton Village. They lived there until 1966, when they decided to leave the New York area. Before moving to the suburbs of Maryland, Freda had to finally learn how to drive. She later became the family speed demon in her sporty BMW then Acura.

In 1966, Philip and Freda bought a home in Rockville, Maryland, where they lived in Rock Creek Village for 45 years. Freda was a devoted wife and mother, and after being orphaned at such a young age, enjoyed being a traditional homemaker. During her early years in Maryland, Freda worked as a substitute teacher. As her kids grew up, Freda volunteered and then started working part-time at several branches of the Montgomery County library system. She was also the treasurer of her local homemaker’s club. In 2009, Freda survived a very fulminant case of bacterial meningitis. Her full recovery after spending over a month in the hospital and over another month in rehab was a testament to her strength. In 2011, Freda and Philip moved to the Homewood Retirement community in Frederick, Maryland. For a time she was head of the Homewood Library and also enjoyed weekly trips to the Thurmont Regional Library. In 2020 Freda lost the love of her life Philip, when her husband of 68 years passed away at the age of 93.

Freda was a voracious reader and loved playing mahjong. Her competitive nature in games of all sorts was well known. She also had quite a green thumb for houseplants. Upon becoming an empty nester, Freda started traveling. She and Philip took a trip to China soon after it became possible, then Freda continued to travel both independently with her daughter’s family as well as on many cruises with Philip. Freda appreciated crafts and particularly enjoyed collecting Bybee pottery and handmade jewelry. Freda also adored anything chocolate, often eating chocolate ice cream as her entire lunch. Indeed, her love for chocolate sustained her as she weakened during the last few months of her life.

Despite living almost 60 years in Maryland, ‘you can take the girl out of New York but you can’t take the New Yorker out of the girl’ described Freda well. Freda was a loving matriarch of our family and will be sorely missed.