Life’s a journey, and our mom, Noreen Freese, met you along the way. It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our mom, Noreen (Noni) Freese, on January 3, 2025. Noreen was born on January 31, 1925, in Seattle, Washington. She passed just shy of her 100th birthday.
Noreen graduated from the Swedish Hospital School of Nursing in 1947. She was a career pediatric nurse at Children’s Orthopedic Hospital in Seattle, where she was a post-surgical care nurse, ER and head nurse of the Poison Control Center, the Mr. Yuk Program.
Noreen and her husband, Jim Freese, retired to Leavenworth where they built their home in 1979. She was active in the Leavenworth community, a member of the United Methodist Church, the Leavenworth Hospital Guild, and the Cascade Garden Club.
She was passionate about gardening, knitting, driftwood sculpture, the card game Shanghai, and travel. Over the years, Noreen traveled extensively to Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.
Noreen was Leavenworth Senior Center Queen at the Autumn Leaf Festival in 2018.
The family would like to thank Hospice for their attentive care and the passionate care at Elmwood Cottage Adult Family Home.
Noreen raised her four children, Jeanie, Susie, Judy, and Rob in the Seattle Area. She is also survived by six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Noni touched the lives of so many.
One of her favorite quotes was, “Don’t stop living cause you’re old.”
A private family graveside service was held.