Mary Eilene Freeland's Obituary
Mary E. Freeland, 76 of Ft. Myers passed away on Monday, February 2, 2015 at Bayfront Hospital in Pt. Charlotte. She was born on Aug. 10, 1938 in Lafayette, IN to Camilla (Schuh) and Woodrow W. Sorenson.Mary was valedictorian of her high school class at Wadena High School (IN). She owned and operated several businesses in the Ft. Myers area, most in the automotive field. Mary was recognized as the first female Nissan dealer in the U.S. She loved cooking, baking and sewing, and was passionate about her family. Her home always had an open door policy and was a gathering place full of love, compassion and fun.She was preceded in death by her parents and beloved nephew, Tony Budreau.Mary is survived by her children Susan Rice of Nashville, TN, Greg Freeland of Arcadia, FL, Chris Freeland of Pt. Charlotte, FL, and Ben (Ashley) Freeland of Franklin, TN. She is also survived by nine grandchildren: Emily (Chad) McDaniel, Melissa Strauss, G.T.(Ashlee) Freeland, Mary (Daniel) Petro, Virginia (Cameron) Byrd, Nicholas Rice, Andrew Freeland, Thomas Freeland, and Elizabeth Freelnd; eleven great-grandchildren: Devin,Dustin, Ethan and Logan McDaniel, Jordan Strauss, Alec and Peyton Futch, Madisyn and Graham Freeland, Olivia Petro and Grace Bryd. Mary is also survived by siblings Edgar “Doc” (Irma) Sorenson of Sparta, TN, and Marcia (Dennis) Budreau of Ft. Myers, FL, as well as her cherished dog Ruby.A Memorial Gathering in honor of Mary will be held from 2:00– 3:00 PM on Saturday, February 7, 2015 in the Chapel at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 1589 Colonial Boulevard, Fort Myers, Florida 33907, (239) 936-0555. A Memorial Service celebrated by Pastor David Gold will be conducted immediately following the gathering at 3:00 PM also in the funeral home chapel. A celebration of her life will follow at the Hilton Garden Inn, 12600 University Dr., Ft. Myers, FL 33907. Contributions can be made in her name to the local ALS Clinic through the Lee Memorial Hospital Foundation, PO Box 2218 Ft. Myers, FL 33902 in Tony’s honor. Mary will thereafter be laid to rest in Memorial Gardens Cemetery at a future date.Those who would like to leave a tribute, share a story or offer condolences to the family should visit Mary’s memorial webpage at www.fortmyersmemorial.com and sign the guestbook.
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