Angelita Galvan Freeman

Angelita Galvan Freeman passed away on June 3, 2022 after a long battle with dementia. She was born on August 29, 1942 in McAllen, Texas to parents Teresa and Samuel. She grew up in a humble but beautiful home and helped to raise her siblings as the oldest of seven. As a little girl she taught herself English in part by visiting the library and reading books about far away lands. In high school she played clarinet in the McAllen High band and was elected High School Band Sweetheart. She also was a member of the Marching Irish Guards where she became a champion twirler. After graduating McAllen High with honors, she attended Texas Woman's University for nursing where she established lifelong friendships with her classmates. After graduation she finally had the opportunity to visit far away lands like the ones she had read about as a child, going to Denmark and working as an au pair, as well as living in Greece where she met more wonderful lifelong friends. Her work as a nurse meant so much to her; she cared for patients everywhere from the cardiac ICU with the famous Dr. DeBakey in Houston, Texas, to the Landstuhl military base in Germany, to LA County USC. In 1979 she began her new career as the best mother on earth, giving birth to her daughter Teresa. The family moved from Long Beach to Tustin in 1983 where she then had a beautiful son, Alex. Her life was devoted to the care and support (and photographing) of her two children while also finding plenty of time to travel and explore the world. She was a regular fixture at their elementary school, St. Jeanne's, and always made sure they got to all of their dance and sports events while cheering them and their friends on every step of the way. She loved having her children's schoolmates and family friends at her home in Tustin, and became a "second mother" to many of Alex and Teresa's friends. She always made frequent trips to Texas to visit family and help care for her mother until her passing in 2016. Angelita was a woman of faith who lovingly participated in the La Purisima Church community and was especially active in the Spanish-speaking community there. G_d eventually led her heart to find a home in Judaism, and she was a beloved member of Temple Bat Yahm for many years. Angelita is survived by her daughter Teresa and her son Alex, as well as siblings Sam, Timoteo, Diana, Judy, Nico and Norma. She was preceded in death by her brother Felipe and mother Teresa. Her radiant smile and spirit of care and service will live on in the hearts of all those whose lives she touched.