Obituaries

Carolyn M. Freeman, 62

April 26, 2016

Carolyn M. Freeman, 62, died early Tuesday, April 26, in the home she loved and shared with her beloved mother, Eleanor R. Cassidy, of Lancaster.
She is survived by her son James M. Freeman, his wife Melissa, their children Isabella and Seamus; and her son Joseph J. Freeman and his wife Brenda. She was preceded in death by her husband James.
Her grandchildren were her greatest joy, and she will be in their hearts forever, as they will be in hers.
Also surviving are her five siblings, Mary Anne Pisano and her husband Sam; Joseph Cassidy and his wife Kathy; Suzanne Cassidy and her husband Peter Fidgett; Peg Poplar and her husband Jack; and John Cassidy and his wife Carrie; and 15 nieces and nephews, whom she loved unwaveringly and fiercely. She also will be missed by a wonderful multitude of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

At her core, Carol was a teacher.
She taught her sons to be good men. She taught her brothers and sisters the importance of offering support and love. She taught her grandchildren and nieces and nephews the joy that can be found in books, and even in American history.

A life skills teacher with IU13, she taught children with multiple disabilities and was their champion in every way. She never stopped thinking of her students and spent many Saturday mornings browsing at garage sales to find some book, some teaching tool, that could reach them. She talked the Phillie Phanatic into coming into her classroom because she knew a visit would make her students smile. She welcomed other high school students into her classroom as volunteers; she mentored them, cared for them and inspired them. She loved not only her students but her colleagues in her classroom, her partners in the adventure and challenge of teaching, and they loved her, too.

Everyone who knew Carol knew her to be one of the warmest, kindest, most compassionate people in the world, beautiful inside and out.

She was every bit as Irish — sentimental, slyly funny, deeply Catholic — as her late father Joe. He and her mother welcomed Carol, their first child of six, with an abiding elation and thankfulness. She had her grandmother Dorothy Nicklaus’ goodness and her grandfather Gregory Nicklaus’ spirit of generosity.

She graduated with a degree in special education from Millersville University.

She loved the ocean, reading, the Phillies and a good garage sale bargain, but most of all, she loved her family. And they will love her and remember her forever, and await the day when she will greet them with her arms open wide at the corner of heaven and earth.

Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, April 29, at St. Anne’s Roman Catholic Church, 929 N. Duke St., Lancaster. Friends and family members will be received from 10 to 11 a.m. before the Mass at St. Anne’s. Interment will follow in St. Anthony’s Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Carol’s name to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation on its website at bcrfcure.org or by mail, 60 East 56th St., Eighth Floor, New York, N.Y. 10022. Please earmark donations to Triple Negative Breast Cancer research.

Leave a condolence on this Memorial Page


Be sure to include your name

Please note that your condolence will not appear on this page until it is reviewed. Condolences usually appear within 24 hours of being submitted.

Condolences to the Family

April 30, 2016

Dear Family of Carol Freeman,
I was saddened to hear of Carol’s passing. Her obituary says it all. She truly was one of the most caring persons I have met. I know that I am a better person having the opportunity to work with her.  
In sympathy, Dixie Heacock

April 29, 2016

Carolyn, thank you so much for being a part of my life at St. Anne School.  You were a joy in the school and a blessing to all of us.  May Jesus take you into his arms to rest forever.  Peace and all good to you and your family.
George R. Garbrick
Teacher at St. Anne School

April 29, 2016

I am saddened to hear of Carol’s recent passing.Reading the obituary and other condolences certainly took me back many years. The characteristics Carol demonstrated as a young girl have obviously carried over in her life as a mother and grandmother and teacher.
My recollections of Carol were of a selfless person who was driven by a desire to nurture and protect her siblings. She was very good at that.
I apologize for not making the Funeral Services today but I just could not make it work. My very best to all and the extended Cassidy family is in our prayers.
Sincerely,
Joe & Joanne Winning

April 28, 2016

I had the pleasure of supervising Carol for many years at IU13.  She was one of the most positive, giving and kind-hearted people I have ever worked with. She truly had a positive word for everyone! May you take comfort in the memories and experiences you shared. I am sending sincere condolences to you all.~Phyllis Boyd

April 28, 2016

Everyone will miss Carol!  She was such a wonderful person and was blessed to be from such an amazing, loving family.  She always had a smile and a laugh for you, despite what health issues she was facing.  It takes a very special person to truly love and teach students as she did.  I know she is glad to be with her father, Joe, again since she could not stay here with her mom, Eleanor, and the rest of us.  All of you have such wonderful memories to keep her with you.  You made her so very happy with all the get togethers you had, especially recently with Jamie, Melissa, Isabella and Seamus; her cousins and the trip to the beach.  I love you all and now there is another special Angel in heaven watching over you.   Anitra Hampton

April 27, 2016

To Carolyn’s Family,
It was with great joy that I was able to work with Carolyn at IU13 for a couple of years.  She was kind, loving and generous.  Carolyn gave much to her students who she loved very much.  Carolyn, I will always remember and think of you.  You were a fantastic person and fellow Irishman!  Lee Laverty

April 27, 2016

I am sorry to hear of Carolyn’s passing.  My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.

April 27, 2016

Carol was everything her obituary said about her and more. As her paraeducator she always looked out for me and was there for me at my time of need. When I meet her in heaven my first words to her will be why would you never answer your phone! I always thought the world about and know you will be missed. I will meet you at the library in heaven!  
Love Mrs. H (Sue)

April 27, 2016

What a blessing to have crossed paths with such a remarkable woman; Carol. My prayers and thoughts are with your family during this time. May your tears become smiles as great memories find you. Fondly, Angela (Bitts) Sydorko

April 27, 2016

To the familyl of Carolyn Freeman: 
What  more can anyone say, reading her most beautiful obituary says it all, and a tribute to the special    young lady, many us knew so well. You fought the battle Carolyn, and now resting in peace peace in Heaven.
Your soft spoken  voice was always a symbol of your kindness  and caring for other. REST IN PEACE IRISH LADY.
Rita R. Boyer, (the fundraiser gal who enjoyed so much working with school parents.)

Visitation
Friday, April 29, 2016
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
St. Anne’s Roman Catholic Church
929 N. Duke St.
Lancaster, PA
Map and Directions

Get Maps and Directions >
Services
Friday, April 29, 2016
11:00 AM
St. Anne’s Roman Catholic Church
929 N. Duke St.
Lancaster, PA
Map and Directions

Get Maps and Directions >
Send Flowers Online

Offering Lancaster, PA funeral services for over 75 years.

Our six funeral homes in Lancaster County makes it easy and convenient to make arrangements and host services close to home.

  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Downtown Lancaster
  • 414 East King St.
  • 717-393-9661
  • Charles F. (Chip) Snyder, Jr. Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Lititz Pike
  • 3110 Lititz Pike
  • 717-560-5100
  • Charles F. (Chad) Snyder, III Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Millersville
  • 441 North George St.
  • 717-872-5041
  • Mark D. Burkholder Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Spacht-Snyder Family Funeral Home Lititz, PA
  • 127 South Broad St.
  • 717-626-2317
  • Jacqueline Adamson Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Bachman-Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory Strasburg, PA
  • 7 South Decatur Street
  • 717-687-7644
  • Norman T. Mable Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Willow Street, PA
  • 2421 Willow Street Pike
  • 717-464-4600
  • Kelly Gramola Townsend Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info