Submitted by: Dan Rich

Mary C. DeFreeuw

Sept. 9, 1915 - Feb. 8, 2007

South Bend Tribune 2/11/2007

EDWARDSBURG, -- Mrs. Mary C. DeFreeuw, 91, of Redfield Road, formerly of SR 23, Granger, passed away following an illness on Thursday, Feb. 8, in Our Lady of Peace Hospital in Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center-South Bend. Born Mary Caroline Buday to David and Cecelia (VanNotrham) Buday in South Bend, IN, she lived in Madison Township on a farm. She was raised by her father, with her brother and sister, as her mother had passed on. Both her brother and sister have passed on now as well.

She married the late Frank J. DeFreeuw on June 24, 1933, in Sacred Heart Church, Notre Dame. He died April 10, 1990. She retired in 1964, having worked at Robertson's Department Store, Nabichet Chicken in the Rough, Sobinite. She loved her dogs and bowling at the Manachre Club, Jefferson, Regal, and Parkway Lanes. She lived in South Bend until moving to Granger in 1955 and belonged to St. Pius X and St. Joseph Farm church.

She moved to Edwardsburg in 2003 to live with her daughter, Patricia A. Neddeau, who survives. Other survivors include three grandsons, Donald, Dennis (Gloria) and Doug (Danielle) Neddeau; eight great-grandchildren, Aaron, Chad, Caleb, Angie, Serria, Tiara, Zachary and Ryan, all of whom she loved very much. She is also survived by a son, Terrence of Florida, with several grandchildren and great-grandchildren on his side.

A celebration of the Christian Burial Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in St. Pius X Catholic Church at Fir Road and SR 23, with Rev. William Schooler, pastor, officiating. Visitation will be Monday from 3 to 8 p.m. in the McGann Hay Funerals Cremations Gatherings, Granger Chapel, 13260 SR 23 (enter off Cherry Road), and one hour prior to the Mass in church on Tuesday. A Rosary will be said in the funeral home at 4 p.m. on Monday. Burial will be at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park with a reception to follow in the gym at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to McGann Hay to help defray expenses.