Nellie Godfrey Freeman, 91, slipped quietly away on Friday evening, August 26, 2016, at Woodridge Nursing Home in Berlin. Born on a small farm in West Fairlee on March 15, 1925, she was the third born of seven children of the late Arthur and Florence (Webster) Godfrey. On May 11, 1943, Nellie married Wayland Freeman in Waterbury. Wayland predeceased Nellie in 2001.
Nellie and Wayland made their home in Warren for over 25 years. Following, their adventure led them to Florida, Waterbury and Vergennes. Since 2007, Nellie has resided at Evergreen Place in Waitsfield.
Nellie obtained her GED in her 40s, being very proud of this accomplishment. She worked for many years at Joyal School at the Vermont State Hospital in Waterbury where she taught clients how to become independent in their own homes after leaving the hospital setting. Nellie also worked at the F.C. Luce Co. Department Store, for Grants and for many families in their homes including helping with child care, something she always enjoyed.
Nellie volunteered for many years in the Addison County area playing the guitar with small ensembles, entertaining in nursing homes, at birthday and anniversary parties and for Project Independence. Nellie loved to cook and was an avid knitter, having made and donated many afghans to the Veterans Hospital in White River Junction. All of the grandchildren have had a warm blanket from “Grammie.”
Nellie’s first love was family: her two children, Meridan and Geraldine (Geri), grandchildren, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews and the cousins, too many to count.
Nellie is survived by her daughter, Geri Streeter and her husband Keith and their three daughters, Jeanette Wellinger (Tony), Naisha Ashian (Ron) and Callie Streeter Graves (Shawn); Meridan’s four children, Danny Freeman, Hans Freeman (Debi), Lisa Audet (David) and Debbie Freeman; as well as great- and great-great grandchildren. Nellie is predeceased by her son, Meridan Freeman, as well as all of her siblings.
A special thank you to Margaret Theobald and Jilda Greenslit of Evergreen Place who spent endless hours visiting Nellie, to Bob and Johnnie for their attentiveness, to niece Ramona Godfrey who was always there for her, going on many rides and for the many hours of hand holding and fussing over Nellie.
A service celebrating the life of Nellie Freeman will be held from Warren United Church on September 10, 2016, at 11 a.m. (Please bring a flower to the service to add to a vase bouquet, which together we will make for Nellie as we remember her love for flowers.) A potluck luncheon will follow at the home of Geri and Keith Streeter in Warren Village. Memorial gifts would be appreciated to the charity of one’s choice. Assisting the family is Perkins-Parker Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Waterbury. To send online condolences please visit www.perkinsparker.com.
