Jeanette Freye
Jeanette Irene Seaman Freye, departed from this earth to new adventures on Thursday, December 24, 2020.
She was 78 years young, strong and fearless, never met a stranger, and always laughed loudest at herself, no grass grew under her feet. She was an eternal optimist and an animal and nature lover.
She will be greeted by her parents Lyle “Pat” and Florence Seaman, who started her journey in Harvard, Illinois in May 1942, who raised Jeanette and her sisters Lily Karls; late husbands, John Behrens and William Karls, three nieces, two nephews, several grands and great-grands; and Katherine Turk; husband Bartel “Bro” Turk, two nieces, four grands.
She was raised on a dairy farm where trotting about on an interesting menagerie of ponies and horses was her early favorite way to get around, later she rode around in parades as Homecoming Queen and cheerleader before graduating from Richmond Burton Community High School in Richmond, Illinois. Followed by a year of parades and event traveling as McHenry County, Illinois Dairy Princess. Taking a chance, she dared to take a trip on Route 66 and live in California with a couple of friends for about a year. Deciding her heart never left the Midwest, she returned to Illinois. Not long after returning, she gave her heart to a dashing young racer, James “Jim” Deane Freye, they began a 55-year married journey of exploration, together they enjoyed years of camping, car and motocross racing, travel, hiking, boating, basically moving in all directions.
They made homes in Cary, Il. early, then Signal Mountain, Tn. to the present. When her children came along, Janese Ann Freye and James “JD’ Deane Freye; wife Angie and grandson Bentley “Ben” James; and after jobs as a key-punch operator and a lab technician at Quaker Oats Company, she became the best stay-at-home Mom, seamstress, earth advocate and recycler (before it was cool), sporting cheerleader, Girl Scout leader and assistant, kid transporter, cool birthday cake maker (especially those famous chocolate maraschino cherry cakes), Halloween costume designer, and so much more.
When the kids grew, she worked at Signal Crest Church Day Care as cook, where her favorite story was the little fella that told his mom she had to get her recipe for carrot sticks (crinkle cutter). She also worked many years at Galloway-Hall Realty and with Dr. Spaulding Podiatry.
Jeanette also had a son Michael “Mike” Pigg, wife Marci, grand-twins Chloe and Triston, who after being adopted in California, found her as an adult and quickly became part of her family and she became part of his. They were blessed to have many grand adventures together as they got to know each other.
The family would like to thank Hearth Hospice, especially nurse Cindy Lewis, and nurse Mike Boyle at Parkridge Hospital for their excellent support during this difficult time.
A memorial service will take place near Jeanette’s Illinois home when the pandemic allows safe gathering.
Arrangements are by Lane Funeral Home, 601 Ashland Terrace, 601 Ashland Terrace Chattanooga, Tn. 37415, www.lanefh.com, 423 877-3524.