Obituary of Tessie Bathgate Freund

Tessie Bathgate Freund, 93, passed away peacefully at St. Claire Hospital in Fenton, Missouri on May 13, 2023. Tessie was born on February 6, 1930, in Lebanon Township, New Jersey to the late Anna and Elko Bodnar. She graduated from High Bridge High School in 1948, fell in love and married Robert P. Bathgate on June 23, 1951, and raised their three children. Eventually, she went on to work at the law office of Arthur L. Alexander from where she retired after a long career. Tessie was a loving mother to her children, Robert, Michael, and Janice. Following the passing of her first husband Tessie found love again and married Kenneth Freund in 1998, with whom she spent the rest of her life. 

Throughout her life Tessie did everything she could to love and support her family and even as they grew into adults always loved having them home and hosting dinners, holidays, or any event she could think of to have everyone together. She really enjoyed games of any kind, often playing cards or dominoes with family and friends far into the night. All creatures loved her, and she loved them, but most especially the many cats she spoiled through her long life. Tessie was a woman strong in her Roman Catholic faith and was a parishioner at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in Belvidere, New Jersey. Tessie also served the community by holding positions on the Mansfield Township Planning Board, the election board, and the board of adjustment. 

Tessie will be forever missed by her beloved husband Kenneth J. Freund, son Robert P. Bathgate, Jr. and his wife Cheryl, son Michael J. Bathgate, daughter Janice M. White and her husband Stuart, and by her grandchildren Jami, Daniel, Kaitlyn, and Alyssa. 

Tessie is predeceased by her first husband Robert P. Bathgate, her sisters Sadie, Mary, and Pauline, and her brother Mike. 

A gathering of Family and Friends will be held on Monday May 22, 2023, from 5pm until 8pm at Knoll-DeVoe Funeral Home and Cremation Service located at 142 West Washington Avenue, Washington, New Jersey 07882. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday May 23, 2023, at 10:30 am at St. Theodore’s Roman Catholic Church located at 855 Route 57, Port Murray, New Jersey 07865, with burial to follow in the Port Murray Cemetery located on Cherry Tree Bend Road, Port Murray, New Jersey.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Tessie’s name may be made to Common Sense for Animals, 2420 NJ-57, Stewartsville, NJ 08886. Please Click Here to Donate