Lillian Rose Freese

Lillian R. Freese, age 89, of Wayne, New Jersey passed away peacefully the morning of Sunday, April 21st, 2024.

Lillian was born in Passaic, the first – born of Joseph and Erma’s two children. Lillian and her younger brother Charlie were raised in Passaic where she attended Passaic High School. During her junior year of high school in History class she meets a young man, Kenneth Freese. Lillian and Ken immediately hit it off and used every excuse there was to spend time together. Eventually Ken asked Lillian out on their first date to the movies at the Capital Theater on Main Ave. No one can recall what movie they saw but from that day on their love for one another continued to grow and grow.

Following High School graduation Lillian and Ken continued to date. Eventually Ken enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1954, he took just enough time to come home on leave so that he and Lillian could get married! They exchanged their vows on Sunday, November 14th, 1954, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel R.C. Church in Passaic with Father Savatini Vitalis officiating. After their one-night honeymoon in New York City, the newlyweds packed their cars and headed south to Cherry Point North Carolina where Ken was stationed.

In 1956 Lillian and Ken become the proud parents of a baby girl that they named Linda. Lillian, Ken, and Linda eventually moved back to New Jersey where they briefly lived in Passaic before moving to Wayne in 1959. In 1960, Lillian became a mother again to a baby boy naming him after her husband (Kenneth C). In 1965 they welcomed their third child – another baby boy they named Richard. Lillian and Ken raised all their children in that home in Wayne.

Lillian started her career working in banking in Pompton Lakes, New Jersey. Which led to a career as a tax collector. Starting in Wayne, and finishing her career in Oakland, New Jersey.

Lillian and Ken also enjoyed traveling all over the world (hitting all 50 states) with family and friends. She loved sharing all of the memories of her trips as well as making collage books marking every adventure they took.

Lillian and Ken eventually became snowbirds once they retired in 1995. They would spend September - November (always coming home for Holidays ) and January - May in Jupiter, Florida where they purchased a home. Lillian absolutely loved the friends she made there and spending time relaxing by the beach and pool!

Lillian will be remembered as spunky, a sharpshooter and always full of life. She loved every adventure life threw at her as well as the simple things (playing in her garden or relaxing on the beach) She loved her husband, children and grandchildren so very much! They brought her absolute joy. She loved her husband, children, grandchildren, family and friends.

Surviving are her daughter and two sons: Linda and husband Joseph Corrao of Wayne, Kenneth C. and wife Denise Freese of Secaucus, and Richard and his wife Elisa of Wayne; two adored grandchildren Lauren her husband Antonio Gadaleta and Joseph; and her beloved brother Charlie Riotto of Franklin Lakes, NJ and nieces and nephews.