Faye Ellen Freeburg

Faye Ellen Freeburg was born in Springfield, Missouri on July 29, 1944, the middle child of her parents, Dr. Carl Valentine Fronabarger and his wife Freda May. She had an elder brother, Richard, and younger sister, Marilyn, who both preceded her in death. Faye took after her accomplished father who served as a professor of Math at Southwest Missouri State University, rising to Head of the Math Department and ultimately to Dean of the School. Faye graduated salutatorian in Sociology and Psychology, with a Minor in Childhood Development.

Faye was a resident and staff favorite at Belmont Westlake Village where she spent her final two and a half years. With her perpetual smile, Faye frequently told everyone how much she loved them and lit up the room wherever she went. She passed away peacefully in her sleep early in the morning of Dec 10, 2023, after gracefully battling dementia, and is now joined with her heavenly Father in his Kingdom for eternity.

Early in the summer of 1963, Faye met her lifelong soulmate and husband Phillip Gary Freeburg when he serendipitously deviated from his Industrial Engineering coursework and chose to take a Sociology of Childhood Development elective. It was here where their paths crossed. Faye was focused on her studies, but Phil was captivated by her poise and beauty and finally mustered the courage to ask her out, and she agreed. After dating steadily for a year, they were engaged, and a year later both graduated and married at the South Street Christian Church on July 17, 1965.

Following graduation, Phil and Faye moved to Rochester, Minnesota where she took a job as a case worker within Olmstead County's welfare department. They found a church home, enjoyed picnics, hiking and the drive-in movies, and it didn't take long for them to settle down and start a family. Their son, Blake, was born in 1967 and Melissa followed in 1970. Faye paused her career to care for their young family and ended up playing an instrumental role in navigating their adventurous move to Amelo, Holland in 1974 where Phil took on a three year role with Texas Instruments operating an early calculator manufacturing line.

In 1977, the family returned to the United States and settled in Austin, Texas. Faye was a preschool teacher for many years, a passion that gave her great joy and fulfillment and that she later continued into retirement through her volunteer work at Life Family Church. Faye loved to be home with her children after school and through their summers, keeping them prioritized in her life.

In 1986, the family moved to Plano, Texas and Faye chose to pursue a Paralegal career, earning four certifications from Southern Methodist University. After a short freelancing stint, she applied to the Department of Justice and was selected as the only candidate of three hundred applicants for a paralegal position. During her seventeen years of dedicated government service, she worked on many prominent tax cases and was recognized twice with an "Outstanding Service" award, which was presented to her by the US Attorney General in Washington, D.C.

Faye and Phil loved to travel to their home-away-from homes in Maui and Park City, where she would often selflessly care for her young grandsons. Throughout Faye’s life, she embraced everyone with sincere interest and kindness. She was selfless, full of grace and touched many people’s lives — from the very young, to church families and retirees — and her legacy will be remembered and reflected through how we should treat each other.

Faye is survived by her husband of 58 years, Phillip of Austin, Texas, her daughter Melissa and son-in-law Jeff Simpler and grandsons Clark and Graham; and her daughter-in-law Na Shuang Freeburg and grandson Ethan. She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, and her son Blake.

The family would like to thank the Belmont Village Westlake Neighborhood staff (PALs) for their attentiveness and loving kindness in caring for Faye. We also appreciate the Suncrest Hospice team assigned to Faye early this year; the countless prayers from family and friends offered during her illness; and the early help we received from AGE of Central Texas.

A memorial service for Faye will be held at 11am on December 21st, 2023, in the chapel at LifeFamily Church, located at 8901 W. Highway 71 Austin, TX 78735. We welcome all who want to attend.

In lieu of flowers, we request donations be made to continue the important work of non-profit AGE of Central Texas, https://ageofcentraltx.org/index.php/getinvolved/donate.