Barbara Freehill

Died peacefully at her home in Palm Beach Gardens, FL on February 23rd in the care of Hospice of the Palm Beaches, after a courageous six year battle with blood cancer (MDS). Born and raised in the Riverdale section of The Bronx, she met the love of her life, George, at a St. Patrick’s Day Dance at St. Gabriel’s Grammar School in March of 1949. Following her graduation from Marymount College, Tarrytown, they married in June of 1959. Barbara is survived by her four loving daughters: Kim Freehill Narayanan and her husband Nari; Kelly Hoffman and her husband Michael; Evan Clark and her husband Jim; and Kendra Seth and her husband Kevin. Barbara also leaves her ten adoring grandchildren, to whom she was always affectionately known as “Happy”; Devon, Riley and Brendan Hoffman; George, Chapin and Siobhan Clark; Henry, Tucker, Ryan and Dylan Seth. Barbara is also survived by her sister Constance Walsh and her six children. She was predeceased by her brother Thomas Walsh, who is survived by his wife Barbara and their three children. After raising their four daughters in Scarsdale and Plandome, NY, always relishing their summers in Westhampton Beach and later in the Remsenburg area of Long Island. Barbara and George moved the family to New York City in 1982. Barbara then fulfilled her dream of a second career (her first being in fashion) by becoming a top real estate broker with the Barbara Corcoran Group, partnering with her dear friend Edith Salton for some 25 years. While Barbara will always be remembered by her family and friends for relishing a good time, far more important to her was helping those less fortunate. Over the years she took in several foster children and others in need, and whenever possible, volunteered her services for many charitable causes. A Mass of Celebration will be held at St. Thomas More, Darien, CT on Saturday, March 4th at 10:30am. A Mass will also be celebrated at St. Patrick’s in Palm Beach Gardens on Tuesday, March 14th at 11am. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to MDS. Checks made out to Trustees of Columbia University-MDS Research, Care of Azra Raza, MD Columbia University Medical Center, Milstein Hospital Building 177 Fort Washington Avenue, Room 6GN-435 New York, NY 10032.