Obituary: Freya Chaffee

Freya Chaffee

January 18, 1942 - August 28, 2020

Freya Chaffee, born in Highgate Springs, Vt. on January 18, 1942, died August 28, 2020 in her home in Waterbury, Vt. surrounded by love after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. 

She fought a good fight with her family by her side. She led her life on her own terms up till the very end. She was always the life of the party; no exception was the celebration of life, or living funeral, enjoyed by her and her family and friends on December 28, 2019. 

Freya was predeceased by her father, Olin Sherburne Chaffee of West Berkshire, and her mother, Eva Eliza Gross Chaffee of Berkshire; her brothers and sisters, and a niece. She is survived by her partner Herschell Murry; her daughters Michelle Chaffee, Marcy Pelkey, Phoebe Pelkey, and Meredith Pelkey and their families.

She was a true matriarch and second mother to many extended family and friends.  Freya was a lifelong learner, loved reading, traveling, all things culinary, crafts of all kinds, and was a master gardener. 

Her careers included managing the Tyler Place family resort, working at nonprofits including Northeast Family institute, Woodbury College, Community College of Vermont, and running the literacy program, “Everybody Wins” at Thatcher Brook Primary School in Waterbury, where many of her grandchildren attended. 

She ran sewing camps for her grandchildren and their friends and children at local schools. She was a driving force in helping to create the new Waterbury Public Library where she served as a library commissioner for many years. She instilled in her daughters and their families the importance of being socially responsible and active in their committees as she was a lifelong political and social activist.  

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to “Everybody Wins Vermont” at everybodywinsvermont.org.

View and leave comments online at Stephen C. Gregory and Son Cremation Service, South Burlington.