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Kay DiMare Obituary

Kay DiMare

July 24, 1934 - January 17, 2025

Kay DiMare Obituary

Born at Ashtabula General Hospital on July 24, 1934, Kay-Alice was the third daughter of Alice Millberg Freetly (1909 - 1995) and Ralph J. Freetly (1884-1955) who married in 1929.

Kay was a loving Mother to her three children, Jennifer (husband Michael), Joseph (wife Mirian) and James (wife Cathy), a doting Grandmother to Kameron, Brittany, Alyssa, Nicole, Ashley and

Kyle, and a Great Grandmother of seven and counting.

She was a beloved Aunt and Cousin, loyal Sister and an especially dedicated Daughter to her Mother Alice (The Hat Lady) throughout Gam's golden years. When any member of her family

was in need, Kay always showed up to cheerfully help out in any way she could.

Kay was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters, Carol Sheppard and Joanne "Hannah"

Estok and is survived by a brother, RJ Freetly.

As a proud Dog Mom, she also doted on her seven pound fur baby, Nefertiti, an ill-tempered, scruffy Poodle and West Highland White Terrier mix. Titi was an early version of a designer dog

who was rightfully referred to back then as a mutt. Queen Titi was never hesitated to show her razor sharp, tiny teeth to anyone who approached too quickly so her life legacy was teaching

the grandchildren early on how to respect small animals! And so, she was Kay's constant companion from 1986 until Titi's one-way trip to doggie heaven in 2001. Kay's radiant smile and happy personality brought joy and light to the lives of co-workers,

family and friends. Always working full time, she managed home and hearth while being her children's homeroom mother, helping with homework, attending every one of their sporting

events/school activities and contributing her delicious chocolate chip or peanut butter cookies or cupcakes to school bake sales. She then carried this tradition of love and support forward by

being a much-welcomed participant in her grandchildren's lives.

She was a very proud graduate of Harbor High School's class of 1952 where Kay then went on to work as the school's Secretary to the Principal before her final career move to Conrail. As

her children were growing up, she shared the valuable life lessons she learned while working at her first job as a cashier at the five and dime store. Her children grudgingly listened and felt the

most memorable lessons were "Never judge a book by its cover." and "Every bad situation will have a silver lining."

In her later years, she was an active member at Faith Lutheran Church where her extended Millberg family belonged throughout her lifetime. Kay also enjoyed helping to plan many

milestone high school reunions with former classmates from HHS.

After working for over 40 years, Kay most happily retired from Conrail on August 1, 1996. The very first Monday of retirement, she joined the YMCA to attend XYZ (Extra Years of Zest) classes

where the exercising was always heavy on chit chat and comradery and this combination motivated her to never miss a class if she could help it! She worked crossword puzzles every

morning and evening and enjoyed watching TV newscasts and Antiques Roadshow. Kay was a dedicated reader of fiction, The Star Beacon, The Plain Dealer and The Ladies Home Journal.

But the highlight of any day was spending time with family and grandchildren. Her family truly appreciates the kindness of niece, Phyllis Shimko, who regularly visited and

helped Auntie Kay in her final months at CCRC. Kay always had a very special relationship with her sister Joanne's daughter, Wendy Moore, who was there in her final hours. (Her children

and grandchildren are forever grateful for the loving care Wendy unfailingly extended to her "Aunt Dickie" throughout the years.)

In addition, we are very appreciative of the hard-working staff at CCRC who took care of our Mother the last ten years of her life. We want to give a heartfelt thank you to her hospice team

at CCRC as well - you do the work of angels and please know you are greatly respected and appreciated. On the day Kay left us, her dear niece, Judith White, shared a special memory of hearing Auntie Kay happily singing through her kitchen window while Judy played outside as a child. This reminded her family of how much Kay loved music and for many years added her beautiful

voice to the annual Messiah Choir at St Peter's Church.

Also on that day, her family was comforted by a kind remark from by her attentive daughter-in- law, Cathy - she said throughout the years in Memory Care, Kay-Alice retained her musicality

by always joining the residents of CCRC for any type of musical or singing event and she smiled the most when singing her favorite church hymns and Christmas carols.

In lieu of flowers or gifts to the family, please consider a donation in Kay's honor to the Animal Protective League at 5970 Green Road, Ashtabula, OH 44004 or acapl.org. Although Kay-Alice has now left us, she will live on in her loved one's hearts forever. A graveside memorial service for friends and family will be conducted the weekend before her July

birthday.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kay, please visit our floral store.

Born at Ashtabula General Hospital on July 24, 1934, Kay-Alice was the third daughter of Alice Millberg Freetly (1909 - 1995) and Ralph J. Freetly (1884-1955) who married in 1929.

Kay was a loving Mother to her three children, Jennifer (husband Michael), Joseph (wife Mirian) and James (wife Cathy), a doting Grandmother to Kameron, Brittany

Published on January 24, 2025

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Czup Funeral HomeCzup Funeral Home

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