FUNERAL NOTICES

• Published in: The Arizona daily star
• Format: Newspaper Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tucson, Ariz The Arizona Daily Star 24.07.2013
• Subjects: "Freda, Frances; Pers, Richard; Walsh, Alfreda; Walsh, Matthew; Walsh, Michele
• ISSN: 0888-546X

83, of Tucson, died on June 29, 2013, at Casa de la Luz's Kanmar Place hospice. Freda was born November 17, 1929, in Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Walter Kopec and Helen Blocki Kopec. She had nine siblings. She married her high-school sweetheart, James "Jim" E. Walsh, in 1953, and together they had two sons, Michael and James and a daughter, Michele. Freda and Jim were happily married for 40 years, before Jim died in 1993. Freda received her Registered Nursing degree from St. Margaret's School of Nursing in Pittsburgh in 1951. For the 23 years Jim was in the Army, Freda volunteered at military hospitals in Germany, the Netherlands, Puerto Rico and San Antonio, Texas. She then worked in the Labor and Delivery Unit at the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Hospital in Tucson from 1975 until 1994. Freda was a devoted wife, sister, mother, grandmother and friend. Nothing meant more to her than the time she spent surrounded by her family. Since 1998, she was the adopted mom for the women of daughter Michele's soccer team, Shakti, and was a sideline fixture cheering on her "18 daughters." Freda was also an avid supporter of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Arizona Diamondbacks, raising a Schlitz to her teams in victory and in defeat. For the last four-and-a-half years Freda lived at Atria Campana Del Rio in Tucson, where she had an active social life and developed a deep affection for members of the staff. The family thanks Freda's friends and the Atria and Casa de la Luz staff for their kindness and caring. Freda is survived by her children, their spouses and seven grandchildren, Michael (Mia) Walsh, James Walsh (Sarah Roberts), Michele Walsh (Rob McCright) and grandchildren, Matthew Walsh, Monica Walsh, Tera Bencomo, Shannon Bencomo, Lida Townsley, Robby Needham-Walsh and Luda Walsh. She is also survived by her sisters, Vi, Marcy and Josie and her brother, Steve. At Freda's request, there will be no Memorial Service, but she would like it if you would raise a toast to send her on her way. Arrangements by ANGEL VALLEY FUNERAL HOME.