"RUTH FREHNER Middletown, NY Ruth Frehner, a 13 year area resident, formerly of media, PA, died peacefully on December 10, 2003 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was 90 years old. The daughter of the late William Craig Beiswinger and Mary Ellen Duncan, she was born on April 24, 1913 in Wilkes Barre, PA. Ruth, a 1935 graduate of Wilson College with a BA in English, maintained friendships with college friends until her death. After raising her children and the death of her husband, she pursued her love of learning and reading with great spirit. Her travels took her to many countries and expanded her network of friends globally. On moving to Middletown, she immediately began auditing courses at Orange County Community College, volunteered in the college library, and became a dedicated volunteer for Friends of Middletown Thrall Library; she faithfully collected the money at the used book store on Wednesdays. She had played piano and the organ in her college years and loved opera. She has been described by many as 'remarkable' and will be missed by those who lives she touched. She is survived by her
loving daughters Ellen Newton of Middletown and Carla Manchester of Dover-Foxcroft, ME; son-in-law, Dr. Jeffery Newton and his wife Nancy of Goshen; four grandchildren, Dr. Christopher Newton-Cheh and his wife Dr. Emily Newton-Cheh, Justin, Tana, and Abbey Manchester as well as 3 great grandchildren, Nicholas and Noah Newton-Cheh and Courtney Hasting; as well as several nieces and nephews. Ruth was predeceased by her brother William Beiswinger, her husband Charles Frehner, and her granddaughter, Jennifer Newton. Cremation will take place at the convenience of the family. A memorial service for Ruth will be held after the New Year and will be announced in the paper. Memorial donations in Ruth's name may be made to any of the following organizations: CFOC/Jennifer Newton Memorial Fund, c/o Community Foundation of Orange County, 23 White Oake Drive, Chester, NY 10918 or Friends of the Middletown Thrall Library, 11-19 Depot Steet, Middletown, NY 10940 or Hospice of Orange and Sullivan County, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550. Arrangements are under the direction of Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Inc."
"THR 12-13-03" no pagination indicated.
From the records of The Middletown THRALL Library scrapbooks (2002-2003 book), Government Documents office.
NOTE: no relation to B.E.F. Stienstra, librarian at Middletown Thrall Library.