Patricia "Pat" "Patty" Freeman

Patricia “Pat” “Patty” Freeman—loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and loyal friend—passed away peacefully at her home in Anthem, Arizona on March 29, 2026, following a sudden diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. She was 82, just a few weeks shy of her 83rd birthday.

Pat was born on April 15, 1943—Tax Day, as she would often remind people (and as no one ever forgot)—and was raised in Newark and Irvington, New Jersey. She married Will Freeman, also of Newark NJ on Feb. 21, 1964. They made their home in Westfield, NJ, where she raised her family before eventually trading cold, rainy New Jersey for sunny Anthem, Arizona. She enjoyed 23 bright and happy years there, closer to her daughter Sue and family. After Will’s passing, Pat carried on with strength and spirit, building a circle of friends and staying active in the senior community she came to love.

Pat had a gift for enjoying life exactly as it was meant to be enjoyed. She loved a good card game, a lively lunch with friends, and keeping up with everyone’s business—especially via Facebook Messenger, where she and her “gals” (Terry, Mary, and Linda) stayed in constant touch, no matter the distance. She also enjoyed trying her luck at the casino when the opportunity presented, but if you asked her, her true favorite hobby was shopping—always on the lookout for the next great deal.

She didn’t travel far or often, but when she did, she made it count: Hawaii, an Alaskan cruise, and a memorable trip to New Orleans to meet her first great-granddaughter were among her favorites.

She absolutely loved Christmas—so much so that she collected over 300 Santa Clauses, each one bringing her a little extra joy year-round. She also enjoyed reading and crafting, always finding comfort in a good book or a creative project.

But without question, the center of Pat’s world was her family. She carried a lifelong love for her son, John, who passed away in 2000—a loss she never stopped feeling and a bond she never stopped honoring.

Known affectionately as “Granny,” she was endlessly devoted to her daughter Sue; her grandchildren Annie and Jared; Sue’s husband, Pat; her granddaughter Amanda (John’s daughter) and Amanda’s partner, Justus; her step-grandson Zander; and her beloved great-granddaughter Quinn. She wanted to know everything—who was doing what, where they were going, and how things turned out—and she loved every minute of it.

Pat will be remembered for her warmth, her wit, her resilience, and her remarkable ability to stay connected to the people she loved. She leaves behind a lifetime of stories, laughter, and love that will continue to bring comfort and smiles to those who knew her.

A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 1:00 P.M., at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home in Phoenix with a reception to follow—just the way she would have liked it: surrounded by the people she loved, sharing stories, laughter, and for sure, a good lunch.