Mary Freand

Mary Margaret Freand, 66, was called home to our Lord at 6:56 p.m., Thursday, September 29, 2016 at St. Anthony's Hospital in Alton, after a courageous fight with ALS for the past year.  Her brother, Gary, and his wife, Kimberly and their two sons, were at her bedside at the time of her passing.Mary was born on Oct. 9, 1949 in Alton, and was the second child and daughter born to Hubert & Margaret (Held) Devine.  She was raised in Brussels and worked alongside her parents, who operated the local "Devine Store", selling groceries to the families in the area.She graduated from Brussels Community High School in 1967 and the went on to graduate from the Gradwohl School of Laboratory Technique in 1968 as a Registered Medical Technologist.Mary shared her knowledge and her compassionate skills as a Med Tech at St. Anthony's Hospital in Alton for 44 years, prior to her retirement in October 2012.  It was more than just a job to Mary, as she became friends with many co-workers and patients through the years, as evidenced by the many visitors she had come through during her final illness.On April 8, 1972 she married the love of her life and fellow "Raider" classmate, Troy L. Freand at the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Brussels and shared 39 wonderful, blissful years together before his death on May 7, 2011.  Most of their married life was spent in Brussels, until choosing to move to Jerseyville in 1992. She was currently a member of the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Jerseyville and was a member of the local Dominoes Club.  She enjoyed traveling with her friends, as well as her brother and his family.  Due to her illness, they had to cancel a trip that was planned to tour Iceland.A fun loving spirited woman, she was adored and loved by anyone who came into contact with her.  She faced her final illness with courage and laughter and continued to be a constant joy to be around.Mary is survived by her beloved brother and sister in law, Gary & Kimberly Devine of Fieldon, along with their two sons and special nephews, Mitchell Devine of Fieldon and Travis Devine and his wife, Ashley of Jerseyville, and their two sons, Cleighton and Kaleb.They brought her many hours of joy and laughter and were told many times by Mary that they were the "light of her life".She is also survived by a sister and brother in law, JoAnn and Rick Snyders of Batchtown; a brother in law, John Sherman of Alton; a special cousin, Marilyn Waters of the state of Oregon; along with numerous nieces and nephews, and some very special friends, Carolyn Hawkins, Janis Stephenson, Susie Mensman and Alice Harris.  She also leaves behind three sisters in law, Sonja, Gloria and Troby.Mary was preceded in death by her parents and husband, along with her oldest sister, Janice Sherman.Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville.A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10 a.m. Thursday at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Jerseyvile, with Father Patrick Gibbons officiating.Burial will be alongside her beloved husband at the Grimes-Neeley Cemetery in Jerseyville.Memorials may be given to the Riverbend Area Humane Society of Jerseyville or to the Devine Family.

Obit Provided By:
Crawford Funeral Home