Shirley S. Freeman

Shirley (Sweet) Freeman passed peacefully on March 25, 2021 in Bridgewater, New Jersey. She was 100 years old. A kind, soft spoken and loving woman, she was loved and cherished by many family and friends.

Born on September 30, 1920 in Elmira, New York, to Julian and Blanche (Andrus) Sweet, Shirley was the second of five children. She grew up in Elmira and graduated from Southside High School where she played drums in the school’s marching Drum and Bugle Corps. Shortly after graduation she met William A. (Bill) Freeman with whom she eloped in 1941. They had two sons, William Edward and John Robert, prior to Bill leaving his young family to serve with the U.S. Army in WWII. Following his return, their third son, David Lee, was born.

After her older sons had both joined the military, Shirley, Bill and David moved to Port Washington, Long Island, NY. There, Shirley was employed by magazine publishing house Romaine Pearson to which she walked to worked every day, never missing a day. In charge of subscriptions, she remained there for more than 25 years until her retirement.

Shirley and Bill loved to take road trips. With Bill at the wheel and Shirley at his side manning the maps, together they criss-crossed the country many times visiting landmarks, taking in scenery, and enjoying the company of friends and family. They shared 44 years of marriage together until Bill’s passing in 1985.

Later, Shirley returned to her beloved upstate NY where she resided in independent living at Bethany Village in Horseheads, NY until the age of 97 when she moved to assisted living in New Jersey to be closer to her son William and granddaughter Andrea.

Shirley was a lover of books and crossword puzzles, and an avid baseball fan. Strongly dedicated to her NY Yankees, she never missed a game, kept a notebook of stats, and was always quick to call up family and critique the pitching or calls of the game. Running into Derek Jeter at the mall while Christmas shopping was one of her favorite stories and one of her most special memories was spending her 80th birthday with family at Yankee Stadium where her birthday was announced on the big screen and she was able to enjoy her favorite meal, a stadium hot dog.

Shirley cherished the simple things and the implicit beauty of life. She loved a good spaghetti dinner, a dish of ice cream, and a phone call or visit from a friend. She also loved the colorful leaves of Fall and made a trip each year to upstate NY from Long Island to see them. Just days before her passing, she happily announced that the first day of Spring had arrived. She always looked forward to the blooming of the first crocus and of course to the start of Yankees spring training.

Extremely dedicated to her friends and family, once Shirley made a friend, she kept them for life. She loved to write and to receive letters and had many dear friends across the globe with whom she corresponded for many years. She loved to talk on the phone and did so regularly with friends and loved ones.

Shirley was particularly thankful for the love of her daughter-in-law Marla Freeman who faithfully called her every day and shared books and news with her. Also, for the care and friendship provided to her by Rita McCabe who checked in on her often, took her to lunch and to many doctor’s appointments and also to Linda Biviano for her friendship and times spent sharing ice cream or a drive. She was thankful for the love and devotion of her son William, who could always be counted on to chat about the Yankees, bring her favorite foods, and of which she could have not have been prouder, and for the affection and dedication of her granddaughter, Dr. Andrea Freeman, VMD, who provided many day-to-day comforts, ensured that her birthdays and holidays were special and who, with strength and compassion, strongly advocated for her medical care.

In addition to her parents and her husband, William A., Shirley was predeceased by her brothers Ansell and Robert, her sons John Robert and David Lee, and daughter-in-law, Robin (William) Freeman. She is survived by her brother Lawrence (Susan) Sweet (Fort Myers, FL), sister Lois Holmes (Jessup, GA), and sister-in-law Betty Sweet (Idaho Falls, ID), by her loving son, William E. Freeman (Tewksbury, NJ), her daughter-in-law Marla (David) Freeman (Port Washington, NY), her granddaughters, Jackie Green, Nicole Eaton, Annette Koronowski, Erika Freeman, and Dr. Andrea Freeman, 10 great-grandchildren,15 great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Friends and relatives are invited to gather at the Green Hills Section of Woodlawn Cemetery in Elmira, NY on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at 2 PM for a time of remembrance. There, Shirley will be laid to rest alongside her beloved husband.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822.

For further information or to send an online condolence, please visit www.holcombefisher.com.