Freda (Boosahda) Dadah

Freda attended Becker Jr. College and worked many years as a secretary for the Social Security Administration and The Department of the Army ROTC.  She earned many awards including the Department of the Army’s Certificate of Recognition for 30 years of federal service, and the Key to the City in 1984 from Mayor Tinsely for Outstanding Volunteer Work for St. Jude’s Research Hospital.  Her volunteer work for St. Jude’s spanned decades.  She started her community service work as a Candy Striper when she was a teenager, and initially worked as a nurses’ aide before she completed her studies at Becker.  As a life member of the Worcester Emblem Club, Freda served as past president and Supreme District Deputy.  Freda most loved spending time with her family, especially her nieces and nephews.  She enjoyed hosting sleepovers for generations of them, sometimes with dozens of nieces and nephews all at once.  When the cousins get together, they frequently share stories of walking to Dadah’s market to pick out their favorite foods for the morning’s Big Breakfast, which always included bacon, eggs and colorful cereals.  The annual Christmas tree lighting, clambakes, and lobster races are fond memories for the oldest nieces and nephews.   Freda was called Aunt Freda by the neighbors as her kind heart was welcoming to many and she always had something to share. She also enjoyed sewing, cooking, and travelling.  Her travels took her to Canada, Europe, the Middle East, and many parts of the United States (she first went to Hawaii and Alaska before they were part the United States). Most often she sewed very intricate patterns whether for an outfit for herself or one of her nieces.  She made many sets of curtains, not just for herself, but her greater joy was making and doing for others.  Freda taught generations of nieces and nephews to cook Lebanese and other Middle Eastern foods. Freda was baptized at St. George’s Orthodox Cathedral, back when it was a church on Wall Street.  After her marriage to Johnny Dadah in 1953 she became a communicant at Our Lady of Mercy Church.  She was very active in church activities also, and served on several church committees.  The family thanks the staff at the Dodge Park Rest Home for the compassionate and excellent care they provided Freda throughout her stay there. They would also like to thank JHC Hospice for the kindness and care they provided over the past several months. Funeral service for Freda will be held on Monday, February 6, 2017 at St. George Orthodox Cathedral, 30 Anna St, Worcester at 10:00am and will be followed by her burial at Notre Dame Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Philip G. Haddad, Jr. of Miles Funeral Home of Holden. Donations can be made in Freda’s name, to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Worcester Emblem Club No. 51, 233 Mill St., Worcester, MA 01602.