OXFORD – Freda B. Mudge, 76, a life long resident of the Norwich and Oxford area, passed away Friday evening, Dec. 2, 2011, in the New York State Veterans’ Home of Oxford.
The daughter of George and Flora Jenks Lawton, Freda was born in Smithville Flats in July of 1935. She grew up in the Oxford and Greene area where she attended the local schools. On Oct. 12, 1956 in Greene she married Harry Mudge, who survives. Her first employment was with the Norwich Shoe Co. and later with the Norwich Knitting Mill and its successor Champion Products, with whom she worked for 35 years.
Freda was a lady who would put everyone else first and worry about herself later on. Having worked at Champion for so many years as a sewing machine operator, she was very talented and “crafty” in her sewing skills. Over the years she had made countless home made gifts for family and friends. In her leisure time Freda enjoyed her flower gardening and traveling around the countryside attending garage sales which was very evident in her home.
Freda is survived by her husband Harry, now a resident of the NYS Veterans’ Home; her children Darlene Townsend and husband Butch of West Palm Beach, Fla., Coleen Franklin and husband Steve of Oxford, Larry Mudge and wife Denise also of Oxford, Vicky Franklin and husband Randy of West Palm Beach, Fla., and Dale Mudge and wife Sharlene of Norwich; her sister Thelma (Sally) Moro and husband Paul of Pennsylvania and her brother Jack Lawton of Norwich. Also surviving are her grandchildren Julie and Tahitian Townsend, AmyJo Ingraham and husband Todd, Joseph Franklin and wife Maria, Steve Franklin, David Franklin and wife Nicole, Brandy Tipton and husband Robert, Larry Mura and wife Carolyn, Jennifer Guinn and husband Timothy and Ashley Mudge. Seven great grandchildren, nieces and nephews also survive.
Freda was predeceased by her sister Joyce Gould and her brothers Clarence, Floyd and George Finch.
A memorial service for Freda will be held at 1 p.m. Friday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Romeyn Kipp, Pastor of the Holmesville Baptist Church, will officiate. Interment will be at a later date in the Mt. Hope Cemetery.
Friends may call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Thursday from 6-8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers please consider memorial contributions to Bassett Cancer Center, 1 Atwell Road, Cooperstown, NY 13326.