FREER, MARJORIE Marjorie Hall Freer departed this life on February 12, 2013, at the age of 93. She was born in Washington, D.C. on June 8, 1919. Her father's career as an officer in the United States Army required the family to move frequently, and she traveled extensively, including several years of her childhood in Hawaii. An outstanding student, she earned a full academic scholarship to the University of Rochester, from which her father had graduated. When her father was transferred to San Francisco, she matriculated at the University of California, returning to the east coast two years later with her parents. She graduated from the University of Maryland in 1941, earning a Bachelor of Science degree, with highest honors, in microbiology. Following graduation, Marjorie worked as a medical microbiologist at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, after which she spent most of World War II working in the same capacity at the Food and Drug Administration in Washington. On Christmas Eve, 1945, she married Charles Harry Freer, a fighter pilot in the United States Navy, who had recently returned from combat duty in the Pacific. Their marriage thrived, and was ended only by his passing away on December 23, 2009 - the day before their 64th wedding anniversary. Her husband's military career required frequent moves, and Marjorie was the consummate Navy wife. They raised two sons, with Marjorie taking charge during Commander Freer's assignments overseas and planning and executing the details of the family's many moves. In one town in which they lived, she even stepped in to teach high school science and math when the school found itself short-staffed. When her husband was assigned to study Russian at the Navy language school, Marjorie took Russian lessons so they could speak the language together. Because Chuck was a Navy pilot, Marjorie took flying lessons and soloed, so she could talk to him about airplanes. When Chuck retired from the Navy in 1964, the family settled in San Diego, where Marjorie was active in a variety of charitable organizations, including Children's Hospital, the Altar Guild of All Souls Episcopal Church, and the Auxiliary of the Star of India, which oversaw the refurbishment of the world's oldest iron-hulled sailing vessel. She also served as head scorekeeper for Point Loma Little League and the Freers were active in the San Diego Yacht Club. She and Chuck delivered Meals on Wheels, supported the Sisters of the Nativity, and Marjorie led clothing and fundraising drives for underprivileged children in San Diego and in Mexico. She was an avid and able card player, particularly enjoying bridge. She played regularly, and competed in bridge tournaments. After nearly 50 years in San Diego, Marjorie and Chuck moved to Atlanta in 2007, where they lived at Sunrise Assisted Living in Decatur. There, Marjorie continued to pursue card games and to play dominoes, in addition to being known, quite affectionately, as "Marj in charge." Even in her later years, it was clear that she enjoyed playing these games (perhaps in part because she usually won). She was generous with smiles and with See's Candies, and was particularly good at encouraging those around her. For her family and friends, she remains a pillar. Mrs. Freer is survived by her two sons, Douglas of San Diego and Richard of Atlanta, her grandchildren Kirsten, Collin, Courtney, Mariya, and Andrew, and by her great-grandson Alec. A celebration of Marjorie's life is scheduled for Saturday, February 23, at 2:00 p.m. at A.S. Turner & Sons in Decatur, Georgia. Visitation is at Turner's from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. A memorial service and interment of ashes will be scheduled at All Souls Episcopal Church in San Diego at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in Marjorie's name to Rady Children's Hospital Foundation, 3020 Children's Way, Mail Code 5005, San Diego, CA 92123. A. S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory at www.asturner.com or 404-292-1551.




Published in San Diego Union-Tribune on February 17, 2013