On June 24, 2024, as the sun was setting, illuminating the cross atop First Presbyterian Bethlehem, Carol Judy Vollmer Freebairn, 83, joined those that have gone before. Born November 10, 1940 in Philadelphia, PA she was a daughter of the late Harry and Carolyn (Weidner) Vollmer. Carol has been a faithful disciple, serving as a deacon at First Presbyterian Easton and Nassau Presbyterian of Princeton. In her final days, we watched the Meals on Wheels pickup at the neighboring church, an adventure that she did with her friends or her husband over the years. Carol, known as Judy in her youth, grew up outside of Philadelphia in Upper Darby. In her teens, she won Miss Aronimink, getting her picture in the paper, riding atop a convertible. She went to West Chester Teachers college briefly but knew that was not for her. Changing to what was a secretaries’ school at the time, she learned typing and other assistant related skills. She worked in Philadelphia for Presbyterian Church USA, Board of Christian Education as the secretary to the publisher of church school curriculum. At an event at a church supper, she met a young man with a new Mustang. She must have been interested in the man and the Mustang and after a whirlwind courtship, she wed Harry A. Freebairn in 1965 and had 59 years together, most of them joyous.
As a secretary, she was the voice of Nassau Presbyterian. People would call just to hear her. She spent about 10 years at Lafayette College, both in Admissions and then in Career Planning and Placement where all the students would rave about how kind and caring Mrs. Freebairn was. Carol’s daughter, Beth, a student herself, often rolled her eyes at her fellow Pards, but her Mom helped even her with her resume and navigating Word Perfect.
Carol had a love of the beach. Ocean City NJ was her favorite spot. Many summers, winter breaks, holidays and 70’s gas crisis were spent in OCNJ. Carol continued to be involved in numerous activities as they moved back to Easton and Bethlehem, including traveling to the grandchildren’s activities. She touched many people.
Carol is survived by her husband: The Rev Harry A. Freebairn of Bethlehem PA, former pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Easton; her brother: H. William (Bill) Vollmer III (wife Lydia) of Cocoa Beach FL; her children: Beth Freebairn of Center Valley PA, Steven Freebairn (wife Maureen) of Frisco TX, and Nancy Freebairn Spicer (husband Peter) of Whitehouse Station NJ; six grandchildren: Kyle Roseberry (wife Erica), Erik Roseberry, Joey Freebairn, Tom Freebairn, Nathan Spicer and Gracie Spicer.
Carol was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease 10+ years ago. It is a rough disease. We feel for those that suffer with this and the other nasty diseases that take our loved ones. We thank God for the many years Carol shared with us all. Our family and our spouses would like any donations in Carol’s memory to go to the Parkinson’s Foundation (www.parkinson.org) or Ascend Hospice (www.ascendhealth.com) or to dad’s fondness, the Arbor Day Foundation (www.arborday.org).
To celebrate Carol’s life, please join us on July 12th at 3:30 pm in the Kirkland Village Auditorium, 1 Kirkland Village Circle, Bethlehem. A calling period will be held July 11th from 6 to 8 PM in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA.
Thank you, the Freebairn family
