Pauline Adelman Freed

Pauline Freed, 85, of Durham, NC passed away August 14, 2021 at Duke Regional Medical Center after a sudden brief illness, with her devoted daughter Valerie Brown continuously at her bedside. Her last hours were peaceful.

Born in 1936 in Kansas City, MO, Pauline moved with her husband Arnold Freed to Vineland, NJ to raise their three children: Jeffrey Freed, Valerie Brown, and Debra Freed. Debra passed away last year, and Arnold 29 years ago, almost to the day. She is survived by her children Jeff and Valerie (husband Greg Brown), and by her grandchildren Joshua Brown, Ruth Brown, Sarah Perfido, and Robert Brown.

Pauline was involved in the civil rights movement, worked as a medical technologist and then as a full-time mother, and in later years focused on health and wellness through diet and nutrition, providing information to friends, family members, and clients. She worked with Community Concerts to bring performing arts to Vineland, and with the Vineland public school system to offer a summer program for the enrichment of gifted students.

In the last few years, Pauline moved from Vineland, NJ to Durham, NC to be with her daughter Valerie, who shouldered the role of being her caregiver. They grew close in that time and, despite Pauline’s many chronic health problems, those were some of the best years of her life. Her granddaughter Ruth was also an important caregiver and companion during that time. She also had and maintained an important connection with her caregiver in Vineland, Soli Marrero.

Pauline is remembered with love for her love of music and the arts, for her dedication to the broad education of her children, for her artistic gifts, and for being independent, determined, and resilient. She bravely endured chronic illness most of her life and made the most of her life despite great difficulties. She was a strong supporter of the arts. She was proud of her Jewish identity and was a strong supporter of Israel. In her last years, she gleaned support from her beloved dogs Napoleon and Belle.

Pauline’s body will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery next to her beloved husband Arnold, a hero of World War II, Friday, September 10, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Those who wish to honor her memory can donate to Stand With Us or to the World Jewish Congress.