The Life of Mary Magdalen Freeman
Mary Magdalen Freeman, born April 1934, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family on July 30, 2023. She was 89 years old. Mary attended school at St. Wenceslas and St. Michael Business School in Baltimore. At 18 years old, she met the love of her life and her future husband, Joseph Freeman, a young Navy Sailor visiting Baltimore a year later they began their 68 years of marriage stationed far from home in Hawaii. Mary and her husband eventually settled in Harford County where they resided since 1967.
Mary was a caring loving wife and mother and an enterprising local businesswoman. She treasured her family and spent many hours cooking and planning elaborate birthday parties for them. Mary loved selling Avon. She and her husband owned and operated the Medicine Shoppe in Havre de Grace for 20 years. Mary found great pleasure in managing the gift and card section of their store. Upon retiring from their store, Mary was quoted in The Record saying “We thoroughly enjoyed it and our customers.” Mary also enjoyed entertaining, going to the beach, and taking cruises. Mary enjoyed reading her Bible and discussing it with others.
She is survived by her children JoAnn Hancock, Diane Burke, her husband Lance, John Freeman, his wife Carol, and Steve Freeman and his wife Robin. She has 13 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. She is predeceased by her husband, Joseph Freeman, parents, Josephine and John Barranco, brother Jack Barranco, and son-in-law Joe Hancock.
Mary was truly a kind person that spoke to strangers as friends and did a little matchmaking on the side. She always had a sweet smile for everyone, even with the struggle of living with Alzheimer’s. She was blessed by having loving caregivers for the last few years. Mary will be missed by family, friends, and caregivers.
Visitation will be held at the family owned Highview Funeral and Cremation Services, 3433 Fallston Road, Fallston, MD 21047 on Friday August 4, 2023 from 9:30 am to 11:00 am at which time a funeral service will begin, with interment to follow in the adjoining cemetery.
In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org