Obituary of Helene J. Freed

Helene Jenny Freed of Maine, NY Helene Jenny Freed passed away peacefully Sunday, 5 July, at her home in Maine, NY with her daughter, Susan at her side. Born 27 December 1921 in New York City to Sophie Melina Victoria Gigon and Ferdinand Emile Sieg, Helene (know as "Mimi" to close friends and family) was raised by her grandparents, Joseph Armand and Sophie Neuhaus Gigon and by her aunt, Georgette ("Tantine") in Teaneck, New Jersey. While studying for her B.A. in Botany at the University of Michigan in 1943, she was introduced by one of her Biological Station professors to his nephew, Dale Youngman Freed, who was then preparing to enter the Navy. Helene and Dale married January 1944, and after the war, settled in New Jersey to raise their family. The loss of her husband in 1987 and her continuing struggles with Multiple Sclerosis ultimately caused her to relocate in 1991 to her current co-residence with her oldest daughter and family who cared for her until her passing. Helene is predeceased by her devoted husband; and son, Richard Dale Freed. She is survived by her daughters, Susan Amelia Randolph and Barbara Starr Herstine; seven grandchildren, Kathryn Heather Elble, Elizabeth Lynne Randolph-Orr, Stephanie Chang, Carolyn Sophie Little Randolph, Alison Dale Herstine, Thomas ("Ty") Youngman Herstine and Andrew Gushen Herstine; and five great-grandchildren, Scott and Adrian Elble, Samuel and Benjamin Orr and Cameron Chang. Helene is known for her love of wildlife, especially birds, and for her amazing ability to grow practically anything; her gardens were a constant source of joy to herself, family, friends, and all who visited. She was fluent in French, and before the onset of her MS, an excellent seamstress, but perhaps her most enduring legacy will be the fantastic recipes that are already being passed to her future generations, as well as the great skill with which she was known to prepare them. She was a tremendous NY Yankees fan right up until the time of her passing, and will be remembered by all who knew her for her engaging smile and the twinkle in her eye. The family will receive friends wishing to pay their respects at Coleman & Daniels Funeral Home, Inc., 300 East Main St., Endicott, Wednesday, 8 July from 10 to 11 a.m. Helene will be laid to rest at a family plot in George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus, NJ. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in her memory may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society ( www.nationalmssociety.org) or to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden ( www.bbg.org).