East Palestine – Rosemary (nee Rafferty) Freed, age 98, a lifelong resident of East Palestine, died peacefully May 21, 2021, at Covington Skilled Nursing Home in East Palestine.

Beloved wife for 55 years of the late Karl A. Freed. Loving mother of Karol MacKay (David, deceased) of East Palestine, James Freed (Chris) of Shelton, WA, Rosemarie Aulson (John) of Fredericksburg, VA, Justina MacRitchie (Kevin) of Yorktown, VA, Susan Jacob (Harry) of Solon, OH, and the late Michelle Freed.

Devoted grandmother of Beth (nee Freed) Schantzen, David and Grant MacKay, Christie and William Aulson, Kelly (nee MacRitchie) Satava and Jillian (nee MacRitchie) Gillikin, Katherine Jacob McClain and Patrick Jacob. She also leaves 13 great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Rosemary was born in East Palestine on July 19, 1922, to James, Jr. and Cecelia (nee Gillis) Rafferty. She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters Florence Chick and Irene Ross. She is survived by her sister Lois Jean Papania.

Rosemary's Catholic faith was her foundation. She was an active participant in her parish and community, particularly volunteering her time and wonderful cooking skills with the St. Mary's Ladies Aid Society and Unity Grange.

She was a graduate of EPHS class of 1940. After graduation she joined her parents and worked for the W.S. George Pottery in East Palestine until her marriage to Sgt. Karl Freed on July 20 ^th of 1944.

Rosemary loved to garden and bake for her family. Her children will always cherish the booklet that she made for them featuring her favorite recipes, including her famous caramel recipe. There is no better compliment than "it tastes just like mom's!"

A family-only funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, with internment following at St. Mary's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are welcomed in Rosemary's name to St. Mary's Ladies Aid Society: 180 Seventh St., Columbiana, Oh 44408; or to East Palestine Social Concerns: 375 East Grant St., East Palestine, OH 44413.

Linsley-Royal Funeral Home in East Palestine is in charge of arrangements.