Rita Lea Freudberg

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Rita Lea Freudberg (Rosenfeld), age 94 of Newton, MA, passed away on August 19, 2023.

Beloved wife of the late Richard L. Freudberg. Devoted mother of the late Stuart (Lynn Gutter), Jeffrey (the late Suzanne Oesterreicher), and Audrey. Loving grandmother of Adam, Michael, Daniel, Rose, Jeremy, and Jake and great-grandmother of Evan, Noah, Leah, Lillian, Sloane, and Natalie. Sister of the late Samuel J. Rosenfeld.

Rita was born in Philadelphia and grew up in Washington, DC. A graduate of the University of Maryland, where she was a member of the Phi Sigma Sigma sorority, Rita started her career as a science teacher at Alice Deal Junior High School in Washington, DC. After marrying Richard in 1952, they moved to the Boston area to raise their family, eventually settling in Newton. Rita and Richard were married for 65 years and enjoyed attending classical piano concerts together and spending time with Richard’s engineering colleagues.

Rita lived in Newton for 66 years, working in the public schools and volunteering with many local organizations. She volunteered at Warren Junior High School in the library, then went on to earn her master’s degree in library science from Simmons College and worked as a librarian at Warren and at Day Middle School. She was an original supporter of the League School in Walpole, MA. She was a longtime member of Temple Reyim, and a dedicated volunteer with the Temple Reyim sisterhood. She also volunteered at the Newton Free Library and the Auburndale Community Library, and served as a poll worker for the Newton elections for many years. She enjoyed watching musicals and films and was a supporter and regular attendee of the Boston Jewish Film Festival.

She was a devoted mother, grandma, and great-grandma, attending many school events and sports games, and always celebrating birthdays and accomplishments. She loved eating ice cream (especially coffee ice cream), collecting bird tiles, and doing puzzles.

Graveside service at Lindwood Memorial Park in Randolph, MA on Wednesday, August 23 at 11 am. Shiva at her late residence in Newton on Wednesday from 6-8pm and Thursday from 4-7pm. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Auburndale Community Library (375 Auburn Street, Newton, MA 02466; auburndalelibrary.org), Temple Reyim (1860 Washington Street, Newton, MA 02466; reyim.org), or Good Shepherd Community Care in support of the Miriam Boyd Parlin Hospice Residence (160 Wells Avenue, Newton, MA 02459; gscommunitycare.org).