BANGOR and BREWER - Freda Mae (Hadley) Vanidestine, 93, wife of the late John Frazier Vanidestine Sr. of Bangor, died Oct. 14, 2011, at a Bangor health care facility. She was born April 29, 1918, in Brewer, the daughter of Alton Leland Hadley Sr. of Eden and Myrtle Frost (Cowing) Hadley of Dedham. Freda went to Brewer High School, graduating with the class of 1936. In the late 1950s she worked sewing Brewer High School sweaters together for a local company and later worked as the cook at State Street School. She and John had been members at Calvary Baptist Church, Brewer, since 1954, where they raised their family and were active in the church. After retiring she moved to Polk City, Fla., and then upon her return to Maine, she became a member of Cornerstone Baptist Church, Exeter. She was a dedicated attendant and sat proudly with several of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren surrounding her. She loved the congregation and they also loved her. She would make her way down the aisle hugging people as many as time would allow. For many years she and John spent their daily lunches at the Union Street McDonald's, where she was always on the watch for family members and friends to wander in. Rarely did she ever miss a day. It didn't matter if one of her children came in or an "army" of family trooped in, she was always watching for "more." She loved to listen to her children Johnny, Dennis, Gary and Pamela talk, joke and laugh. There was never a lack of conversation. This was her highlight of every day. Freda lived at Phillips-Strickland House the last couple of years and loved the residents, dedicated employees and the many games of bingo. Visiting with the family, reading, crossword puzzles, using her computer for her emails and updates on her Facebook friends were some of the many activities that filled her days. She had been residing at Stillwater Healthcare Facility, where she enjoyed the nurses and everyone there. Freda loved the Lord and it showed in her life for wherever she went, wherever she lived or people she came in contact with found her to be a ray of sunshine portraying a beautiful lasting impression. It brings to mind in Proverbs 31:30 "The Virtuous Woman," emphasizing on verse 29: "Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all." She joins her husband, John; and her two sons, David Aubrey Vanidestine and Robert Dennis Robbins in heaven. She is survived by her children, John F. Vanidestine Jr. of Louisiana and a dear daughter-in-law, Jeanette Vanidestine, of Lisbon, Dennis W. Vanidestine and wife, Evelyn, of Bangor, Gary G. Vanidestine and wife, Ruth, of Ellsworth and Pamela J. Vanidestine Leavitt and husband, Robert, of Newburgh; 15 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren. She has one surviving brother, Harold Cowing Hadley of Sacramento, Calif. Friends are invited to visit the family 6-8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 17, at Brookings-Smith, Brewer Chapel, 55 South Main St., Brewer, where a celebration of her life will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, with her grandson-in-law, Pastor Stanley H. Griffin, officiating. She will be placed beside her husband and son at Woodlawn Cemetery, Brewer. Those who wish to remember Freda in a special way may make donations in her memory to Phillips-Strickland House, attention: Andrew Cassidy, 21 Boyd St., Bangor, ME 04401. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com