CARTHAGE, NY – Emily Butler Frezza, 92, of County Route 42, Carthage, died Thursday evening, Feb. 14, 2019, at Carthage Area Hospital.
Born July 25, 1926, in Carthage, the daughter of the late Emmanuel James and Geraldine Delores Baker Dawes, she graduated from Augustinian Academy.
She first worked at Herrings Mill and moved to Washington D.C where she worked as a stenographer for the Interstate Commerce Office.
She married Thomas Z. Butler on Feb. 4, 1951, in Alexandria, VA, and the couple returned to Carthage shortly after.
Emily was a homemaker and also worked for a couple of families as a domestic in the area, the Charles Hirschey family for 18 years and the Mary Chiffy family for 4 years. Thomas died on April 5, 1964.
She married John Frezza in November 1979 and he died Aug. 13, 1986.
Surviving are her five children, Thomas (Barbara) Butler; Mark Butler; and Sheila Howland all of Carthage; Teresa (Scott Ham) Durant of Bristol, VA; Jan (Michael) Fox of Natural Bridge; 17 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; five great-great- grandchildren; her sister, Anita Armstrong of Belton, MO; brothers, David and Harold Dawes of Carthage; several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her sisters, Alma Frezza, and Rita Cain; daughter-in-law, Sue Butler; and son-in-law, Richard Howland.
She was a communicant of St. James Catholic Church, member of the Daughters of Isabella, and Ave Maria Circle.
She was an avid bowler, bowling since her childhood. Emily bowled in the women’s league, co-ed league and senior’s league for over 70 years in Carthage. She was very disappointed the bowling was cancelled last week.
Emily was known for her great sense of humor.
A funeral Mass will be said 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019, at St. James Catholic Church with Rev. Donald A. Robinson, pastor, officiating. Calling hours will be 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 18, at the Bezanilla-McGraw Funeral Home. Spring burial will be in St. James Cemetery.
Memorials in Emily’s name may be made to: St. James Catholic Church, 327 West St, Carthage, NY 13619.
Online condolences and sympathy may be made at www.bezanillafh.com
