Kay Alice DiMare

Born at Ashtabula General Hospital on July 24, 1934, Kay-Alice was the third daughter of Alice
Millberg Freetly (1909 – 1995) and Ralph J. Freetly (1884-1955) who married in 1929.
Kay was a loving Mother to her three children, Jennifer (husband Michael), Joseph (wife Mirian)
and James (wife Cathy), a doting Grandmother to Kameron, Brittany, Alyssa, Nicole, Ashley and
Kyle, and a Great Grandmother of seven and counting.
She was a beloved Aunt and Cousin, loyal Sister and an especially dedicated Daughter to her
Mother Alice (The Hat Lady) throughout Gam's golden years. When any member of her family
was in need, Kay always showed up to cheerfully help out in any way she could.
Kay was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters, Carol Sheppard and Joanne "Hannah"
Estok and is survived by a brother, RJ Freetly.
As a proud Dog Mom, she also doted on her seven pound fur baby, Nefertiti, an ill-tempered,
scruffy Poodle and West Highland White Terrier mix. Titi was an early version of a designer dog
who was rightfully referred to back then as a mutt. Queen Titi was never hesitated to show her
razor sharp, tiny teeth to anyone who approached too quickly so her life legacy was teaching
the grandchildren early on how to respect small animals! And so, she was Kay's constant
companion from 1986 until Titi's one-way trip to doggie heaven in 2001.
Kay's radiant smile and happy personality brought joy and light to the lives of co-workers,
family and friends. Always working full time, she managed home and hearth while being her
children's homeroom mother, helping with homework, attending every one of their sporting
events/school activities and contributing her delicious chocolate chip or peanut butter cookies
or cupcakes to school bake sales. She then carried this tradition of love and support forward by
being a much-welcomed participant in her grandchildren's lives.
She was a very proud graduate of Harbor High School's class of 1952 where Kay then went on
to work as the school's Secretary to the Principal before her final career move to Conrail. As
her children were growing up, she shared the valuable life lessons she learned while working at
her first job as a cashier at the five and dime store. Her children grudgingly listened and felt the
most memorable lessons were "Never judge a book by its cover." and "Every bad situation will
have a silver lining."
In her later years, she was an active member at Faith Lutheran Church where her extended
Millberg family belonged throughout her lifetime. Kay also enjoyed helping to plan many
milestone high school reunions with former classmates from HHS.
After working for over 40 years, Kay most happily retired from Conrail on August 1, 1996. The
very first Monday of retirement, she joined the YMCA to attend XYZ (Extra Years of Zest) classes
where the exercising was always heavy on chit chat and comradery and this combination
motivated her to never miss a class if she could help it! She worked crossword puzzles every
morning and evening and enjoyed watching TV newscasts and Antiques Roadshow. Kay was a
dedicated reader of fiction, The Star Beacon, The Plain Dealer and The Ladies Home Journal.
But the highlight of any day was spending time with family and grandchildren.
Her family truly appreciates the kindness of niece, Phyllis Shimko, who regularly visited and
helped Auntie Kay in her final months at CCRC. Kay always had a very special relationship with
her sister Joanne's daughter, Wendy Moore, who was there in her final hours. (Her children
and grandchildren are forever grateful for the loving care Wendy unfailingly extended to her
"Aunt Dickie" throughout the years.)
In addition, we are very appreciative of the hard-working staff at CCRC who took care of our
Mother the last ten years of her life. We want to give a heartfelt thank you to her hospice team
at CCRC as well – you do the work of angels and please know you are greatly respected and
appreciated.
On the day Kay left us, her dear niece, Judith White, shared a special memory of hearing Auntie
Kay happily singing through her kitchen window while Judy played outside as a child. This
reminded her family of how much Kay loved music and for many years added her beautiful
voice to the annual Messiah Choir at St Peter's Church.
Also on that day, her family was comforted by a kind remark from by her attentive daughter-in-
law, Cathy – she said throughout the years in Memory Care, Kay-Alice retained her musicality
by always joining the residents of CCRC for any type of musical or singing event and she smiled
the most when singing her favorite church hymns and Christmas carols.
In lieu of flowers or gifts to the family, please consider a donation in Kay's honor to the Animal
Protective League at 5970 Green Road, Ashtabula, OH 44004 or acapl.org.
Although Kay-Alice has now left us, she will live on in her loved one's hearts forever. A
graveside memorial service for friends and family will be conducted the weekend before her July
birthday.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Kay Alice (Freetly) DiMare, please visit our floral store.