Marilyn Freese

Marilyn Sue Freese was called to heaven on May 17, 2023 at WindsorMeade Manchester House Memory Care. She was born October 2, 1938 to William W. and Jessamine Reister Jacobs in Lexington, Kentucky and attended Dunbarton College of Holy Cross, Washington Theological Union Seminary, and Georgetown University. She lived in Maryland for 26 years before moving to Williamsburg in 1998.

Marilyn is survived by her husband of 37 years, Jon “Jack” Freese. She and her late husband, Robert L. Stith, had three children: Jeffrey Stith (Judy Meadows) of Charlottesville, Virginia; Melanie Stith (Dave) of Monrovia, Maryland; and Eric Stith (Jeanne) of McLean, Virginia. She had three stepsons: Steve Freese (Kerri), Jeff Freese (Heather), and Kevin Freese. She is also survived by her sister, Beverly Jacobs, of Lexington, Kentucky. In recent years she especially loved and enjoyed being with her grandchildren: Jason, Emily, Noelle, Ari, Bennett, Connor, Eve, Morgan, Nathan, and Hayden.

While raising her family in Maryland, Marilyn worked for the Archdiocese of Washington DC as Director of Religious Education for 20 years. She developed many rich friendships during that time. She later worked as a volunteer caregiver for Hospice Caring.

Cooking, gardening, music, and travel were her passions. With her husband, Jack, they became avid sailors. Cruising the Chesapeake Bay on weekends and extended sailing trips with friends to New England, Florida, the Bahamas, and Southern Caribbean were some of her most enjoyable travels. Jack and Marilyn also traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe.

We would like to thank the dedicated staff of Manchester House for their loving care given to Marilyn the past four years. The family will receive friends to honor and celebrate her life on Tuesday, May 23rd at 2:00 PM at Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23188. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, or Gentiva Hospice, 203 Bulifants Blvd. Suite B, Williamsburg, VA 23188.

A private burial service will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.