Emily Anne DeFreytas

Emily Anne DeFreytas, 75, of Knoxville, Maryland, passed away on Sunday, April 28, 2024, at Frederick Health Hospital in Frederick, Maryland.

Born on December 11, 1948, in Newport News, Virginia, Emily was the daughter of the late Ora Jabronze Owen and Rose Owen (née Westinghouse).

Known affectionately as Anne, she graduated from Albert Einstein High School in Kensington, MD, in 1967, and began her career as a clerk typist at the National Library of Medicine in Bethesda, MD. It was here that she met her husband, Stephen DeFreytas, who survives her. Anne later worked at Bechtel Corporation in Gaithersburg, MD. Following the birth of her son Michael, she operated a home daycare, also caring for her widowed father during his recovery from a heart condition.

In 1993, the family relocated to the countryside, and Anne took a position as a registration representative at Frederick Health Hospital, then known as Frederick Memorial Hospital, where she worked until her retirement in 2020. Passionate about her family, she also obtained a real estate license as a secondary occupation but always prioritized her loved ones.

An avid lover of the outdoors, Anne cherished landscaping, flowers, and mowing the lawn. Despite an early childhood accident that left her with a weakened leg requiring a brace or crutches, she never let this hinder her enjoyment of activities like softball, swimming, and carnivals. Throughout her life and even during her final health challenges, Anne remained selfless and never complained, always placing the needs of others above her own.

Anne is survived by her devoted husband, Stephen DeFreytas; her son, Michael, and his wife, Maggie; her granddaughter, Penelope; her stepdaughter, Michelle, her husband, Don, and their son, Braxton; her sister, Judy Lowman; her nephews, Christopher Lowman and Robert Owen (son of her late brother Ora Owen, Jr.).

Anne was predeceased by her parents; her brother, Ora Owen, Jr.; and her nephew, Jeffrey Owen.

Anne also leaves behind many cherished aunts, uncles, cousins, and a host of friends and co-workers. Those closest to her knew her deep faith in God's goodness and her boundless love and care for her family and others, which vividly reflected her understanding of God's love.

A longtime member of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, Anne grew in faith and fellowship within her church community.

Friends may visit from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Monday, May 6, 2024, at Stauffer Funeral Homes, P.A., 1100 North Maple Avenue, Brunswick, Maryland.

A celebration of Anne's life will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, 3346 Gapland Road, Rohrersville, Maryland. Burial will follow at Brownsville Heights Cemetery in Knoxville, Maryland.

Memorial donations can be made to Pleasant Valley Baptist Church or a charity of your choice.

Expressions of sympathy may be offered to the family at StaufferFuneralHome.com