Obituary : Esther R. Freitas
Esther R. Freitas died in her home in Vineyard Haven on Monday, Dec. 29, 2008. She was 76. Born on Martha's Vineyard on February 26, 1932, she was the daughter of the late Ruth Tilton Olsen and John P. Olsen Sr. She was the granddaughter of Zebulon Tilton and Edith Mayhew.
Esther is survived by two daughters, Margaret C. Chambers of Edgartown and Diane P. Freitas of Bisbee, Ariz; six grandchildren, Ronald K. Chambers Jr. of Pontiac, Mo., Margaret R. Chambers of Edgartown, Christine D. Clayburn of Morehead City, N.C., Christopher R. Chambers of Vineyard Haven, James L. Chambers of Edgartown, and Erica J. Scott of Columbus, Ohio; and seven great-grandchildren.
She is remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
She is also survived by a brother, Richard T. Olsen and his wife Lydia of West Tisbury.
She is the widow of the deceased Lewis R. Freitas. She was also predeceased by her son Lewis James Freitas, brother John P. Olsen Jr. and his wife Debbie Olsen, and her nephew John P. Olsen III.
Esther was active in many organizations, and she and her friend Anna Duarte traveled to many places. She was a member of Degree of Pocahontas Wampanoag Council #15 in Wareham, and also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, VFW Ladies Auxiliary, West Tisbury Grange Hall, was a Tisbury Police school crossing guard, and a home health aide for Community Visiting Nurses.
She was also an active member of the Lambert's Cove Christian Church.
A graveside service was held Friday, Jan. 2, at Oak Grove Cemetery in Vineyard Haven, officiated by the Rev. George Eli.
Donations in Esther's memory may be made to the American Legion Post Auxiliary 257, P.O. Box 257, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.
