Obituary: Frances Palmer Freeman, 81, of New Haven

Obituary courtesy of Porto Funeral Home:

Frances Palmer Freeman (81) of New Haven, passed away after a long illness at home, surrounded by family on January 31st, 2023. She was the devoted wife of John (Jack) J. Freeman, with whom she was married for over 59 years. Predeceased by her parents, George and Frances Palmer of East Haven, Frances is survived by her husband and three sons, John, Paul, and Mark; her daughters-in-law, Robin, Bini, and Heather; and her eight grandchildren, Noah, Jonah, Seth, Caleb, Barrett, Ellery, Logan, and Meghan. Frances is also survived by her four siblings George Palmer, Patricia Higgins, Sister Margaret Palmer, and Clare Kanoff.

Frances grew up in the Momauquin area of East Haven and graduated from East Haven High School. She and her siblings loved their beachside community of sand and woods, where ‘Franny’ and they swam and sunned in the summer and skated on frozen ponds and road toboggans down hills in the winter. Many family gatherings were spent recounting the siblings’ exploits and adventures from this near idyllic childhood.

After meeting Jack Freeman, the love of her life, they married in 1963 and started their family in New Haven where they lived together for almost 60 years. Frances is the cherished mother of her three sons who were by her bedside in her last days. Fran loved her three daughters-in-law as her own daughters and treasured her time with them. Never was there a more supportive and loving mother-in-law. After her children were nearly all grown, Frances returned to the workforce where she worked as a paraprofessional for the New Haven Public School System.

Fran’s deepest love and happiest moments, however, were saved for her eight grandchildren. ‘Gramma’ was never more proud than she was of their accomplishments in school, dance, sports, music and life in general. Nothing ever made her smile or laugh harder than being with her four grandsons and four granddaughters. When she was surrounded by all of them at holidays and gatherings were her happiest moments. Her grandchildren in return, loved and adored their grandmother with all their hearts.

Frances is already missed and our world forever dim without her.

Her funeral procession will leave the PORTO FUNERAL HOME, 234 Foxon Rd. (Rte 80) East Haven Thursday morning at 10:30. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish at Our Lady of Pompeii Church at 11:00. Interment will be private. Friends may call WEDNESDAY from 4:00-7:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alzheimers.org