Virginia H. Freeman

Virginia H. Freeman, 94, passed away peacefully at her home in Chester, Vermont on Monday, Sept. 10, 2018 after a period of failing health. She was born on Feb. 14, 1924 in Springfield, Vermont to Margaret (Skinner) Hunsdon and John H. Hunsdon of Chester. Ginny attended Chester schools and graduated from Chester High School in the class of 1944.

Ginny married Lewis H. Freeman on Sept. 26, 1942 and they were married almost 50 years when Lew died on Aug. 15, 1992. Ginny and Lew lived and raised their family in Springfield. As soon as all her children were in school, Ginny started to work as a cook in the Springfield schools. This career spanned 20 years; first at Union Street school and then at Park Street school.

In 1974, Ginny and Lew built a new home in Chester in the country near her childhood home where they spent many wonderful times: watching wildlife and birds along with entertaining grandchildren. Ginny, an avid bird watcher, was very knowledgeable about identifying different species of birds. She loved her Herrick Cove outings and other birding expeditions each year.

Ginny’s goal was to lead a good life and to help others along the way. She accomplished this many times over and was always there when someone needed a hand. Her family was her greatest joy — children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. “Gramee” loved to work alongside her grandsons or go sliding down hills at her home and then pass out hot cocoa and graham crackers. She loved to pick berries and she was the fastest picker ever! She was an assistant Girl Scout leader for both her daughters and thoroughly enjoyed the overnight camp outs with the leader, Laura Patterson. In her later years, she looked forward to going on her Red Hat Society adventures and out to eat.

In spite of being from a small town in Vermont, Ginny was a world traveler. Along with either her friend Mary Cabell or her younger sister Faith, she went on many trips: Australia, New Zealand, Trinidad, Tobago, Bermuda, an Alaskan cruise, Hawaii and Florida. When their son Doug got married in California in 1964, Ginny and Lew drove out to attend it with their daughters, visiting relatives along the way.

Ginny was very active and faithful to her churches throughout her life, even when she was in her 90s. In Springfield she was a member of the First Congregational Church and enjoyed her ladies' group within the church. In Chester her church was the First Universalist Parish. She sang in the choir, was a greeter at the door on Sunday morning for many years, and loved being an integral member of the A.U.U. Women’s group.

She was a proud, hard-working member of the Chester Alumni Association and also rode in the parade several times. She had a lifelong love of music: playing the piano and her organ, singing in the choir, and listening to music at home, at concerts, and at church.

Ginny’s family would like to thank all the loyal, compassionate caregivers from the L&M Family Caregivers for the wonderful attention they gave our mom. They helped keep her in her home and supplied attention, tenderness and laughter.

She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, her brother Hewet S. Hunsdon, her sister Faith L. Dorothy and her grandson Kurt E. Dechen. She is survived by: her brother Stanley B. Hunsdon (Nancy); her children, Douglas H. Freeman (Reyanne), Dale F. Dechen (Richard), and Candace F. Manson. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Kristie Gray (Jim), Kerie Kalm (Jim), Kimberly Abley (Paul), Justin Dechen (Jennifer), and Rebecca Allen (Shilo); and her five great-grandchildren: Kailie, Nick, Avery, Arden and Alexa.

A Memorial service for Ginny will be held Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018 at 2 p.m. at the First Universalist Parish (in the Stone Village) on Route 103 in Chester, Vermont. In lieu of flowers, please consider giving a donation in her name to either the Chester Alumni Association (send to CHS/GMUH, P.O. Box 882, Chester, VT 05143) or Ascutney Mountain Audubon Society (send to Ascutney Mountain Audubon Society, P.O. Box 191, Springfield, VT 05156 — this group sponsors the Herrick’s Cove event).

Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield is assisting with arrangements.

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