Obituary of VernaBelle Freund

Freund, VernaBelle P. (nee Pickering) Fairport/Victor: April 28th, 2015, 96. VernaBelle (VB) is survived by her beloved husband of 63 years, John Freund of Victor; son Philip (Sydna) Freund of Kirtland, OH; grandsons Jonathan of Boulder, CO, David of West Lebanon, NH, and Andrew of Kirtland, OH; her sister-in-law, Betty Pickering and numerous nephews, nieces, and their descendants. She was predeceased by her brothers, Wesley, Stanley, and Lyle Pickering. VernaBelle was born on the family farm on Baker Hill in Perinton NY. She attended Cobblestone schoolhouse #7 in Victor for several years and later switched to Fairport schools. She was hired at Eastman Kodak's Camera Works in 1939 and became an early member of the team working on the proximity fuze program for the US Navy. After WWII she became assistant foreman of the electronics model shop and worked there until she resigned in 1951 upon her marriage. VernaBelle was a very talented artist; over the years she was an active weaver, spinner, china painter, and bobbin lacer. In 1968-69 she was president of the Weavers Guild of Rochester; later president of the former Clover Garden Club of Brighton; and co-founder and later president of the Genesee Country Lace Guild. She bowled with the Thursday Housewives League at Victor and Canandaigua for more than 30 years. The family wishes to gratefully acknowledge the considerable assistance over many years of her nephew Wayne Pickering and longtime friends Thomas and Margaret Upson as well as the help from other nephews, nieces, and friends. At VernaBelle's request there will be no calling hours or funeral service. Anyone wishing to make a contribution in her memory should donate to the Nature Conservancy or another similar charity. No flowers or plants please.