Patricia Freeman

Patricia Freeman

Middletown - 1927-2018

On Wednesday evening, June 20th, Pat Freeman completed her life journey. Born to Eugene and Loretta Lally in Orange NJ on New Year's Eve 1927, Pat was a very independent woman who was always a friend to all. After raising three children, Pat enrolled in college and earned a Business Associates degree at Brookdale Community College in 1978 at the age of 51. She became a Purchasing Agent eventually finishing her career working at the Monmouth County Courthouse in Freehold.

She was the President of the Older Women's League (OWL) and served as NJ Regional representative for the AARP Chapter. As an active public servant she was invited by Rep. Rush Holt to attend President Bush's State of the Union address while attending a few congressional round table discussions. Her work included advancing agendas to strengthen patient rights, care for the elderly and improving benefits for those who serve the sick as caregivers. She never outlived her passion for reversing the plight of the needy and the underserved. Pat received numerous awards for her work and was honored at a luncheon with her own day in Monmouth County for her contributions over the years. She was also awarded the Governor's Leadership Award in 2005 for her diligent work in protecting Social Security.

On the personal side, one of her favorite "bucket list" items was to visit Ireland and she was able to achieve this goal in 2002 traveling with her granddaughter Meghan. Pat was predeceased by her parents and her two brothers Eugene (Buddy) and Jack and her daughter, Kathleen Devlin. Her passions included reading, writing, current events, and most important her role as grandmother and great grandmother in her final years. The immediate and extended families and her friends at Luftman Towers will truly miss her.

In addition to her legacy as parent - Pat was diagnosed with cancer and at the age of 59 and was given an early prognosis of 2 years life expectancy. Never one to give in to the odds, she reworked her attitude, conditioning and was always following the instructions and new technological advances in medicine allowing her to outlive that prognosis by over 30 years. The lesson - NEVER give up! She would adopt that motto - overcoming every challenge she faced.

The surviving members of Pat's family are sons Jim of Lovettsville, VA (Kate), Joe of Eatontown (Kathy), devoted son in law Rich Devlin of Red Bank, grandchildren Caitlin Mejia (Efrain), Meghan Devlin and the Freeman grandsons: Scott, Rob, Andy and Jack. The newest members of Pat's legacy - great grandchildren Kathryn and Lucy Mejia - brought so much joy and energy into her life.

There will be a Memorial Mass in celebration of her life on Saturday June 30th at 9:15am at St. Leo's Church in Lincroft, NJ. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to The Red Bank Senior Center, 80 Shrewsbury Avenue, Red Bank, NJ 07701 and as always, please remember to do something nice today for someone else!