Mary Virginia "Ginger" Freeman (Latham)
October 7, 1938 ~ December 4, 2016
Ginger was born in Leonardtown, Maryland to Joseph A. (Barts) Latham and Mary Laura Bailey Latham. She attended Our Ladies Catholic School in Medley’s Neck through elementary and middle school. Ginger graduated from St. Mary’s Academy High School in 1956. She served as a secretary of Father Andrew White Catholic School from 1972- 1989, where she won the hearts of students and befriended many of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth with her warmth and sense of humor. Ginger worked for the St. Mary’s County Public Works Department from December 1987 until her retirement in January 2004. She is survived by her husband of twelve years, John Allen Freeman, her sister Shirley Hayden (George), , and four children: Robert G. Mattingly, Jr., (Susan), Gina Lynn Schaidt (Dan), Donna Clair Mattingly and David Randall Mattingly. Ginger is also survived by her six grandchildren: Katelyn Mattingly, Robert Schaidt, Krista Schaidt, Justin Owens, Rachael Owens, and Alex Mattingly.
Ginger was first and foremost an artist, both musically and visually inclined. She was a gifted vocalist, organist, pianist and a member of the Sweet Adelines. She performed for many weddings, funerals, church services, and other occasions in St. Mary’s County over the course of her life. She was also a talented seamstress and embroiderer, painter, gardener, and lover of all crafts. In particular, she enjoyed breathing new life into old household objects by painting flower pots chairs, lamps, and dishes into art; each Christmas she would give friends and family ornaments she had created using recycled light-bulbs. In addition to these talents, she was an avid stained-glass collector and artisan. Her stained glass windows have been featured in local churches, and up until her passing she hosted classes on stained-glass working out of her home.
Visitation will be on Thursday, December 8, 2016 from 5:00 PM -8:00 PM with prayers beginning at 7:00 PM at the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home in Leonardtown with Pastor Dan Moore. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, December 9, 2016 at 11:00 AM at St. Aloysius Catholic Church Leonardtown, MD with Father David Beaubien officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be: George Hayden, Jr., George Hayden,III, Brian Hayden, Eric Joseph, Rodney Madewell, and Justin Owens. Honorary Pallbearers will be: George Hayden, IV, and Michael Hayden.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made toward the construction of a new church building for the Callaway Baptist Church, where Ginger’s most recent stained-lass window will be hung. Donations can be made out to “The Building Fund”, Callaway, Baptist Church, 20960 Point Lookout Road Callaway, MD 20620.
Ginger knew the Lord, and waits now for those who will be welcomed after her into Heaven.
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What the heck Ginger!
If I had known you were going when we spoke yesterday, I would have sent a message with you to my parents.
Instead here I sit today, shaking my head and wondering why you aren’t here to answer this last message to you. We saw a lot of things the same way, and when we didn’t we respected each other anyway. You were my cool older cousin with the funny mother who did things just to get someone to laugh. And, we always did. You and she can sing together again with the rest of our musical family. Enjoy the reception they will have for you.
Shirley, honey I sure am sorry she left us here but glad she didn’t suffer as so many usually do when their time comes.
Wayne, boy did she love you and she was so proud of you and your marriage. I am glad you made her so happy and I thank you for that. I am sorry, so sorry for your deep loss. I know you will miss our sweet Ginger Snap.
Love to all my relatives who also loved Ginger. She made us smile and she loved us all, I have no doubt about that.
I am so very sorry for your loss. Ginger was a very special person. You & your family are in my prayers.
Sincerely, Catherine Trossbach
John – Our deepest condolences to you and your family.
Our deepest condolences to you and your family.My you R.I.P Ginger ♥
Donna and Family,
I cannot express the sadness I feel for you at this moment. It is very hard to lose your mother. Isiah 43:1 has a beautiful verse which says,“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” Only God knows the time He will call us home. We belong to the Lord and He has called your mother by name and has taken her home. It does not lessen the hurt at this moment but God will also guide you through this as well. There is never one moment He does not love you. I will be there to help you. Iola, Mike, and Emily
I found out last night that you passed away. I am so sorry for your family but I know you will be making your stained glass from above. I’m sorry that I never got to see your work shop. You are loved by all and I hope you rest in peace. Sending all my prayers.
Donna and Family, Our hearts are saddened by your loss and our thoughts and prayers are with you.
So sorry to hear of your moms passing, my thought and prayers are with you all
I am so sorry for your loss, my deepest sympathies.
Sending condolence to Ginger’s family. She was a sweet lady. I graduated from high school with Ginger..48
Mary Frances Abell.
We are so sorry to hear the sad news. It is such a shock for everyone. We had many good times with John and Ginger over the years. Ginger loved her family and would proudly show pictures of all the grandkids every time we got together. Please accept our sincere condolences. She’s will be missed.
Donna and family,
I am very sorry for your loss. Such sad news to hear. I too lost my mother recently. Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts.
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I wish you healing and peace and that you feel surrounded by much love. Best regards
Donna & family, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with all of you!
Donna and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Lots of good memories from the past. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
We are so sorry to hear the sad news. Please know you and your family remain in our hearts and our prayers.
Gina and Donna, I am so sorry for the loss of your mom. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. If there is anything I can do, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Gina and family, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
John,
Sorry to hear of your lose. Condolences to you and your family.
To John & all her Family ,I’m so sorry for your loss. I have been knowing Ginger for many years, She was one of the best in the office At FAW School, Ginger was one of a kind and will be missed by all. We Love you Ginger .May the Lord hold all of you in the palm of his hand & give peace & comfort to all she has left behind
God Bless RIP lovely Lady
Gina, Donna and all the family: My most loving heart-felt thoughts & prayers are with you. She was such a great lady. She will be missed here on earth by so many who knew her, her warm, loving personality and her talents.
Sending prayers to John and family. I’m so sorry to hear of your loss.
Gina and family, I am so sorry to hear about your mom’s passing. I have so many found memories of being at your house with her, she was like a second mom for many years. She will be missed. Please know that you are in my heart and prayers and if you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask.
To this dear family. We are sorry for your loss. Ginger was a wonderful woman and will be missed. God Bless!
Gina and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Your Mom was such a bright positive light. I remember how welcoming she was as one of your friends when we were little and she looked out for me when I was a young teacher at FAW. With love and prayers, Cathy
Donna my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. Such a small world my mom actually knew your mom she said she was such a sweet woman now i know where you get it from!! If you need anything at all im only a phone call away.
To Ginger’s family, Remember all the fun times,laughs that you shared. She always had a smile and hug to share. Your guardian angel now and always will be in your heart. Prayers to each of you.
Ginger, you had a light that shined upon everyone that has had the pleasure of being a part of your life, from always seeing your beautiful smile first thing every morning at FAW, to having the pleasure of working with you at DPW, I have enjoyed every moment talking with you. My deepest condolences to your beautiful family, May God wrap his loving arms around each of you and give you all comfort for the days ahead. Ginger, may you rest in eternal peace, God has one special Angel, you will be dearly missed!
Gina and Family,
So very sorry for the sudden loss of your Mother. Thoughts and prayers for comfort at
this most difficult time. ❤
Donna
I’m so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God has a new angel in heaven to watch over you and your family.
Love
Deborah Nelson
David, Donna and family, I am truly sorry to hear of the loss of your mom. Please accept my condolences and prayers of comfort to you and your family during this difficult time.
David and Donna, I am so sorry to hear about your loss, my prayers are with you and your family.
To David, Donna, Gina and Gary:
My thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of great loss and grief. Your Mom was such a super lady, and I feel truly blessed to have known her for all of my life. My condolences to you and yours.
Dear John,Gary,Gina,Donna and David, We are very sorry for your loss. We’ve known Ginger for many years. She was a very kind and sweet lady. May you find comfort in the prayers and thoughts sent your way at this difficult time.
John,
We are very saddened by your loss.
Your wife sounded like a wonderful, loving lady.
Prayers for comfort as you mourn. Our condolences to her children and grandchildren.
Sue & Mark Shubert
Tennis buddies
Donna and Family: I am so sorry to hear about your mom. I am thinking of you during this difficult time.
John,
My deepest condolences to you on your loss… My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Sincerely,
Terry
We are so sorry for your loss. Ginger was a long tine friend dating from St. Mary’s Academy days. You all are in our prayers
We will all miss you, Ginger. Though we may not have seen you very often, my thoughts often were with you. Now its time to rest in the arms of the Lord alongside Aunt Laura and Uncle Barts. May God grant you eternal rest and peace.
Gina, Donna, and family: I am so sorry for the sudden loss of your Mom. I was lucky enough to have met her once and heard many lovely stories of her artistic talents. On the time that I met her, I knew she was a special lady. My deepest sympathy to you all at this very difficult time. I will keep you all in my prayers.
My sincere condolences during this difficult time. May cherished memories comfort you and stay close to your hearts. sympathy “And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4
Dear John,Gary,Gina,Donna and David,
We are so very sorry for your loss. We received the news today. Ginger was a lovely person. It was always such a pleasure to see her at family celebrations. It was always nice to talk to her and enjoy her funny stories. Ginger will certainly be missed.
Please know that all of you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Diane