Evelyn "Lynn" Freedman

SPENCER - Lynn Freedman was born Evelyn Annie VanOllefen, the rebellious eldest daughter of David Victor and Elizabeth Ann VanOllefen. She was born in Tucson, Arizona, in 1949 and raised in New Jersey and upstate New York.

She earned her certificate in data entry, but decided it was too boring, and never used it. Instead, she dedicated herself to helping people, especially through the Girl Scouts of America, in an effort to instill young girls with a sense of self-worth and capability.

She met her husband, Jay Freedman, when he was a student at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and was convinced by her friend that he was her white knight on a black Honda motorcycle. They got married in June or July of 1972 (he never could remember his anniversary!). They rode into the Western sunset, to California, which was his (and her) first military assignment.

Life as an Air Force wife saw the birth of their daughter Rachel in 1974 and moves to England and all over the country. One thing that was unchanging was her dedication to the Girl Scouts. No matter where she was living, she gave her time to the organization. Eventually, she built a highly successful summer day camp from the ground up in southern New Hampshire, serving thousands of girls over ten years.

After a move to Georgia, Lynn worked at Macon Outreach, helping the low-income and homeless population. At the same time, Lynn worked toward and earned her Bachelor's degree from Wesleyan College at the tender age of 51 years old, graduating Summa Cum Laude. Armed with her new degree, she went to work as a Girl Scout administrator during the day and taught English as a Second Language at a community college at night. She then went on to become the director of another Girl Scout camp, this one in middle Georgia.

In 2019, love of family convinced Lynn and Jay to move to Massachusetts to be closer to their grandchildren. Jay finally sold his motorcycle, and they were on their way. Then Jay bought a boat. The grandkids cheered. Lynn rolled her eyes.

Lynn was blessed to be surrounded by her 4 grandchildren for the last 5 years of her life. They were her greatest joy. She passed away peacefully while being serenaded by them singing their favorite childhood song.

Lynn is survived by her husband Jay, her daughter and son-in-law Rachel and Seth Lemansky, her sister Mary Lou VanOllefen, and her 4 spectacular grandchildren, Owen, Lev, Rudy, and Mae.

Family and friends will gather to honor Evelyn’s memory at a Funeral Service at 11:00 AM on Monday, December 16, at Congregation Beth Israel, 15 Jamesbury Drive, Worcester. Interment will follow at Holy Society (Chevra Kadisha) Cemetery, Havana Road, Leicester. Memorial Observance will be announced. Arrangements are in the care of Miles Funeral Home of Holden.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the local chapter of the Girl Scouts of America ( www.gscwm.org/en/support-us/donate-locally.html ) or mailed to Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts, Fund Development, 115 Century Drive, Worcester, MA 01606