Official Obituary of
Jeanne B Frey
July 2, 1926 ~ July 21, 2026 (age 100) 100 Years Old
Jeanne Frey Obituary
NEWARK: Jeanne B. Frey, 100, passed away on July 21, 2026, at the Wayne County Nursing Home in Lyons, NY.
Born on July 2, 1926, Dorothy Jeanne Brightman to Ruth V. (Knickerbocker) and Harold M. Brightman in Ithaca, NY, she was predeceased by her father in 1951, mother in 1996, stepfather Frederick W. Wenban in 2003, husband, Gerald A. Frey in 2000, and brother, William K. Brightman in 2020. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Christine (Stell) Brightman, daughter, Susan (Bradley) DeWispelaere, sons William (Inessa) of Brockport, NY, Gerald (Nancy), James (Sandra), and David (Tara); nieces and nephews, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Jeanne was a member of Newark's First United Methodist Church, where she participated in the United Methodist Women and sang in the choir. She also attended meetings of the local Grange and, later in life, the Newark-Arcadia Historical Society. In the 1960s, she took on the role of den mother to a pack of Cub Scouts and actively supported her children's various interests in scouting, Little League, 4-H, and microd racing. She also encouraged their individual musical endeavors and supported their efforts to learn instruments.
Always fond of the spotlight, Jeanne enjoyed part-time work over the years as a "stringer" (a paid, informal contributor) for Newark's newspaper, the Courier-Gazette, and later the Wayne County Star. She opened her home at various times to foster children, Fresh Air children from New York City, a French exchange student, and college students working door-to-door selling dictionaries to help pay their way through college.
Something of a socialite, she was a member of the Newark chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), as well as the local Coterie social club. Through her participation in DAR, she secured a stint in the 1980s as a congressional aide to U.S. Representative Frank Horton.
Late in life, ever an optimist, she transformed her home into a bed-and-breakfast filled with books and memories.
In her memory, memorial contributions may be made to the Fairville Fire Department, 2963 Route 88 North, Newark, NY 14513, or the Newark-Arcadia Historical Society, 120 High St., Newark, NY 14513. -30-
All are welcome to join the family at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Fairville Cemetery for Jeanne's graveside service.
Please write a memory of condolence to the family by visiting
www.watermanfuneralhome.com
Born on July 2, 1926, Dorothy Jeanne Brightman to Ruth V. (Knickerbocker) and Harold M. Brightman in Ithaca, NY, she was predeceased by her father in 1951, mother in 1996, stepfather Frederick W. Wenban in 2003, husband, Gerald A. Frey in 2000, and brother, William K. Brightman in 2020. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Christine (Stell) Brightman, daughter, Susan (Bradley) DeWispelaere, sons William (Inessa) of Brockport, NY, Gerald (Nancy), James (Sandra), and David (Tara); nieces and nephews, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Jeanne was a member of Newark's First United Methodist Church, where she participated in the United Methodist Women and sang in the choir. She also attended meetings of the local Grange and, later in life, the Newark-Arcadia Historical Society. In the 1960s, she took on the role of den mother to a pack of Cub Scouts and actively supported her children's various interests in scouting, Little League, 4-H, and microd racing. She also encouraged their individual musical endeavors and supported their efforts to learn instruments.
Always fond of the spotlight, Jeanne enjoyed part-time work over the years as a "stringer" (a paid, informal contributor) for Newark's newspaper, the Courier-Gazette, and later the Wayne County Star. She opened her home at various times to foster children, Fresh Air children from New York City, a French exchange student, and college students working door-to-door selling dictionaries to help pay their way through college.
Something of a socialite, she was a member of the Newark chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), as well as the local Coterie social club. Through her participation in DAR, she secured a stint in the 1980s as a congressional aide to U.S. Representative Frank Horton.
Late in life, ever an optimist, she transformed her home into a bed-and-breakfast filled with books and memories.
In her memory, memorial contributions may be made to the Fairville Fire Department, 2963 Route 88 North, Newark, NY 14513, or the Newark-Arcadia Historical Society, 120 High St., Newark, NY 14513. -30-
All are welcome to join the family at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Fairville Cemetery for Jeanne's graveside service.
Please write a memory of condolence to the family by visiting
www.watermanfuneralhome.com
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jeanne B Frey, please visit our floral store.
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