Judith Ann Freyer

We are heartbroken to share with you the passing into the next life of our mother and grandmother Judith Freyer. There are not words to express the depth of our loss. She was, simply put, our treasure.

Born on November 4, 1940, in La Porte, Indiana, her parents Kenneth and Ann Freyer named her Judy Ann. She later adopted the name Judith. Her parents moved her and her two brothers Keith and David “Gus” Freyer to Corpus Christi, Texas when she was a little girl. Corpus became her home where she went to school and eventually met and married her first husband William (Bill) Norman. Together, they had four children, Christine, Michael, Stephen, and Joel. She served as a mother and pastor’s wife, providing support to her family and many congregants over the course of their shared ministry.

In 1975, the family moved from Austin, Texas to Orange, California, which Judith adopted as her hometown until her passing on June 8, 2024. During her years in Southern California, she raised her children. As they grew, she pursued her education, beginning at Santa Ana Community College, taking one or two courses at a time. One of her proudest moments was when she crossed the stage at the University of La Verne, earning a bachelor's degree in child development. She went on to study marriage, family, and child therapy and later earned her master’s degree in the field.

She devoted her life to the support of children, especially helping children process trauma through play. She worked for many years at Western Medical Center in Santa Ana (now Orange County Global Medical Center) as a Child Life Specialist and in her later years as a nanny. She believed strongly in the healing power of play and provided safe space for many children over the years, including her own children and grandchildren, to explore their feelings and find their path forward through difficult times.

Judith Freyer was incomparable--a matriarch with relentless loyalty to her children and grandchildren and the fortitude to fight for those who society considers less than. Our dinner table growing up always had room for one or two or three more.

Judith is survived by her daughter Christine (Rob) Gordon, and sons, Michael (Tracey) Norman, Stephen Norman, and Joel (Stacy Garcia) Norman, her grandchildren, Andrea (Mark) James, Theresa Gordon, Jennifer Gordon, Thomas (Sarah) Norman, Zoe Norman, Jack Norman, Sedona Norman, Robert (Diana) Gordon III, Joshua (Kyle) Gordon, Addie Klepper, Michael Klepper, great grandchildren, Kaitlynn Gordon, Elijah James, Jonah James, Arabella Gordon, Chancy Gordon, and Kip Gordon, brother David (Alice) Freyer, and sister Melissa Rodriguez, nieces Kelly (Neil) Lewey, and Jennifer (Ed) De Vicente, and nephew Eric Freyer. She was preceded in death by her parents, her older brother Keith, and her nephew Kevin Freyer.

Given her dedication to the well-being of children, it’s no surprise that in lieu of flowers, Judith requested a donation in her memory to the Association of Child Life Professionals. www.childlife.org

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” – Matthew 19:14

A celebration of life will be held for Judith on Friday, June 28, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. at Waverley Chapel at Fairhaven Memorial Park & Mortuary, 1702 Fairhaven Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92705. A reception follows the service in the courtyard adjacent to the chapel. All are welcome.