Oresta S. Freelin

Oresta Pascuzzi Freelin 93, passed away December 21, 2014. She was born in Pittsburg, PA., of Italian immigrant parents, Giuseppe and Paulina Pascuzzi. Gizzeria, Catanzaro, Calabria, Italy. Oresta was the youngest and last survivor of 13 children. She often referred to herself as the “Last of the Mohicans”. As a young woman she had a heart for exploration and lived in many major cities growing up with her family. She first lived on her own at the League of Catholic Women in Detroit, Michigan. She frequently took long train rides with no set destination, "just because she could." She often said, it was her families "Gypsy blood" to keep moving and later seems to be in many of her descendants. Later in life when she heard a train whistle late at night, she would reminisce about those days and get quiet but excited. Still claiming at over 90 years old, she was going to go jump on one of those trains one day to return to the city life. Though her family migrated south and she lived in the country in her later years, her heart always seemed to be in the big cities. Still yearning to get her old tired feet on city streets in all of the "hustle and bustle" so greatly missed.

She graduated with Honors from Ottawa Hills High School, Grand Rapids, Michigan ahead of her class by skipping a grade and then pursued advanced extension classes while working as a legal secretary and a linguist for the US Defense Department. She received letters of accommodation from the Commanding Officer for assisting the military with Prisoners of War. Oresta was a devout Catholic an avid reader of the Bible, legal stories and legal thrillers until the last few months of life, including all of author John Grisham’s books. Her kindness and effect on people was larger than life, though not large in stature she had a commanding presence and no one dared defy her. She had 5 sons and one daughter she raised alone after her husband passed, 10 grandchildren, 8 great- grandchildren; who were the most important part of her life.

Oresta is survived by Daniel and Donna Freelin, Kissimmee, Fl. George and Dawn Freelin, Forsyth, GA, Arthur Freelin, Port Orange FL., Frank and Scarlett Freelin, Calhoun, GA. and her only Daughter Kathleen and Keith Elijah, of Pensacola, Fl. and her faithful companion… her rescue dog Dixie. Oresta was proceeded in death by her Husband George A. Freelin, Bay Shore, N.Y., and her 5th Son Sean Freelin.

She will be sadly missed now that she has gone to be with the Lord and taught all of us… everything and every action has a purpose for good and not evil. Everyone should find two good things out of every day no matter what. She only saw the light and not the darkness of life even as Dementia took hold of her last days. We all now must honor her and see the light that burns deep in our hearts for her meaning of Love and Family.

Services will be held graveside by Father Richard Autenbaugh at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, Pensacola, FL., on Saturday December 27th, 2014 at 1:00 P.M. In lieu of Flowers; please contribute to feed and clothe the poor locally.