She had the community’s best interests running through her veins and has been described as a “local legend”.
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Young sadly lost another well-respected figure this week with the passing of Clara (Clare) Maud Freudenstein following a brief illness.
Clare passed away in Mercy Care Hospital on Tuesday night at 10.44pm, after she was admitted into the neurology (strokes) unit in Canberra Hospital two months earlier.
The day prior to being admitted to Canberra she had celebrated her 90th birthday with 100 friends and family.
In a tribute it was said Clare’s name will always be associated with a raft of causes and organisations in the Young district where she has lived all her life.
Over 68 years she worked at the helm of several volunteer organisations - including 30 years as president of the Young Tidy Towns Committee - as well as the Clean Up Australia Day committee, Young branch of the Red Cross, Young Garden Club, Young’s Main Street Committee and Mercy Hospital Auxiliary.
More often than not she fulfilled leadership roles of president and chairperson.
And over the years she’s been recognised for her efforts with a swag of awards, including Order of Australia Medal (1995), Red Cross Distinguished Service Medal, 2001 Young Shire Council Mayoral Award, state Tidy Town awards, and a World War II Certificate of Service and Recognition for hosting US soldiers on rest and recreation leave during the Vietnam War.
She was also honoured to be included in the Peoplescape Figures’ exhibition as part of the Centenary of Federation celebrations on the lawn outside Parliament House, Canberra in 2001.
Daughter and councillor Sandy Freudenstein - who said she missed her second council meeting in 11 years to be by her mother’s side in the last two months - wanted her mother particularly remembered for her passions to beautify the town.
“The flowers in the roundabouts are mum,” she said.
“Mum absolutely pushed like you wouldn’t believe to get the flowers and beautify the town, she worked so hard.”
Mayor John Walker said Clare certainly made a valuable contribution to the Young community and she will be missed.
“She ran Tidy Towns for many years and won many awards for Young,” he said.
“She was awarded an OAM - that in itself says how much she contributed to the district.
“She was part of many committees for many years.”
Young Tidy Towns president Kathleen Stassen said the committee “will never be the same”.
“It’s the end of a legend, she was renowned for her work in the town,” she said.
“She did amazing work in the town for charity. I’ve only been here for a little while but the reports I’ve heard of her are absolutely phenomenal.
“She will be sorely missed by everyone, especially Young Tidy Towns.”
Clare’s funeral will take place next Friday, August 28 at 11am at St Mary’s Catholic Church.
More on Clare’s life will appear next week.
