Barbara Grundel Freeman

Barbara Grundel Freeman Resident of Walnut Creek Fondly known to many as "Auntie Barbara", Barbara Grundel Freeman passed away peacefully at her home in Walnut Creek on September 21, 2010, after a brief battle with cancer. Born Barbara Lee Munholland on December 12, 1924, she grew up in Alameda where she spent many happy childhood days playing tennis at Lincoln Park, eating lunch at Kyle's Drugstore, and racing the city bus on her bicycle. Even in later years, she always kept Alameda close to her heart, visiting her "home" whenever she had the opportunity. She graduated from Alameda High School in 1943 and briefly attended San Jose State College. In 1947, while working at Capwell's, she met and married Irving Grundel and moved to Orinda where she became a devoted wife and mother. The family moved to Sebastopol in 1962 and spent several happy years there before Irving's death in 1970. Five years later, she married Robert Freeman, and they enjoyed 32 years together, living in Chico and then finally settling in Walnut Creek at Rossmoor. Barbara was an encourager all of her life, and she jumped at opportunities to extend a helping hand to people in need. Always looking for a way to help someone out, her kindness and generosity gained her many life-long friends over the course of her 85 years. With her enthusiasm, love for life, and contagious sense of humor, she touched the lives of so many people. She was the mother of Robert Grundel and Deborah Grundel Singer, grandmother of Korena Albin and Katherine Singer. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Dorothy Bowler, her three nieces, Susan Stanton Smegal, Joan Stanton Lenerd, and Carol Kavanagh Clarke, as well as many grandnieces and nephews and loving members of the Freeman family. A service celebrating her life is planned for Saturday, October 30, 2010, at 11:00 A.M. at Calvary Baptist Church in Lafayette, California. Memorial donations may be made to Children's Hospital Fir Branch, Calvary Baptist Church, or the charity of your choice.