Freda Mae (Thorn) Pitman

Freda Mae (Thorn) Pitman (1936-2018)

Freda Pitman, 82, entered Heaven at 3:15 a.m. on Sunday, November 25. Her passing was peaceful, and she was surrounded by members of her loving family. She was born on June 22, 1936, in Fayette County, West Virginia, the youngest child of Sherman Edward Thorn and Violet (Pennington) Thorn. She married Ermine “Junior” Pitman on September 1, 1953, in Indianapolis.

Freda (our dear Mother) is survived by her family who adored her and who will (but only until we are all reunited) mourn her loss with profound grief: her daughter Cathy (Steve Jensen) and her two children, Paul Martin and Angela Martin; her daughter Dr. Ruth Dwyer (Brad Dwyer) (who lovingly cared for our Mother in her home for the last five years of our Mother’s life) and their children David (Stephanie) Estep of Kentucky, Barbara (James) Gaudreau of California, Tom Brady (comedian Tom Thakkar) of New York, Andrew (Deanna) Dwyer, Daniel Dwyer, and Mary Dwyer; her son Tom (Barb) Pitman and their children Lauren (Dr. Stephen) Fielding of Ohio, and Adam Pitman; her son John Pitman and his son Brad (April) Cagle; and her daughter Rosemary (Jack) Freedman and their children Hillary Pieples, Laura Freedman, Bo Redmon, Hope Redmon, Katie Redmon, Rosemary Redmon, and Gabby Redmon. Freda was preceded in death by her husband (our father), Junior Pitman, and their daughter Marilyn Jaggers and Marilyn’s son Richard Lawson; Freda is survived by Marilyn’s children Jason Lawson (who was in every sense a son to her), Justin (Amanda) Lawson, and Rachel Jaggers; and son Curtis.

She is also survived by several great-grandchildren and numerous others whom she loved as if they were her own children, including her “daughter” Donna Chambly, who was at Freda’s side at her passing, and daughter-in-law Barb (who visited her nearly every week for the last five years). When we were growing up, it was very common for her children to bring home hungry friends for lunch or dinner, and Freda encouraged this practice and provided food (and affection) to kids who were sometimes starved for both. Freda will also be sorely missed by her beloved pet Morkies: Max, Pixie and Daisy.

Freda is our beloved Mother. She raised her children–and played a significant role in helping to raise many of her grandchildren–with a surpassing devotion, and her deep influence will echo throughout generations to come. She was always there for the people who needed her and was a wonderful friend, as well as our Mother, when we were growing up and then after we were grown. Her life was guided by sound principles, good conscience, and abiding kindness, support and devotion to others, and there is no doubt that she has now been judged worthy to be with Christ in his Paradise, in warm embrace with those she herself once mourned, as she now awaits her reunion with those of us who love her intensely and will, when ourselves called, spend eternity together with her.

Funeral services, which will be private, were entrusted to Flanner Buchanan-Speedway. Rosemary Freedman will be officiating. Mom will be laid to rest at Floral Park Cemetery between the sacred ashes of her husband, Junior, and her grandson, Richard, along with Richard’s mother, Marilyn, who is at Richard’s side. This has for many years been our Mother’s wish.