Mary Kathleen Larcombe Freese

Today my husband lost his Mom. A very sad day for many. Tim will miss his pilar of family. I will miss the best mother-in-law anyone could ask for. I'll post her mini bio here and a few photos.

Mary Kathleen (Kathie) Larcombe Freese

Mary Kathleen (Kathie) Larcombe Freese passed away peacefully at the age of 80 on August 15, 2011 at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital. She succumbed to chronic heart and lung conditions.
Kathie was born on September 12, 1930 in Washington, D.C. She was the oldest daughter of John and Olive Larcombe. She grew up in Washington Grove and Gaithersburg where she enjoyed horseback riding in Laytonsville, spending time with family and friends, and playing sports. Kathie graduated from St. Martins of Tours School in 1944 and Gaithersburg High School in 1948. In high school, she was a distinguished athlete and captain of several sports teams. In college, she was a member of the University of Maryland’s renowned Gymkana Troupe, where she earned numerous awards including Best Trouper in 1949.

Kathie was a devoted mother of eight children. As an Air Force Officer’s wife, she raised her children in a variety of places including Arizona, Washington, DC, Georgia and New Mexico. She and her first husband homesteaded in Kenai Alaska, then moved to Bangkok, Thailand and finally returned to Maryland in 1970.

At age 44, Kathie returned to college and earned her BS degree in recreation from the University of Maryland, College Park. Kathie then worked for the Montgomery County Recreation Department for 23 years. A highlight of her career with the Recreation Department was her tenure as Director of Longwood Community Center where she and her second husband Graham Little were active in community affairs. Kathie was recognized by the Maryland House of Delegates for her outstanding contributions to the greater Olney Civic Association.
After being widowed for 9 years, Kathie was happily married to Russel Freese in 1996.
Kathleen is survived by her husband, Russel Freese of Asbury Methodist Village in Gaithersburg, MD and her sister Jacqueline Doyle of Belvedere, CA and Santa Fe, NM. She is also survived by seven children, Joseph Kuchta and his wife Susan of Gaithersburg, John Kuchta of Redmond, WA, Mary Foster and her husband James of Baltimore, Carol Scannelli and her husband Vincent of Bethesda, Thomas Kuchta and his wife Stephanie of Kenai, AK and Pryor Lake, MN, Tim Kuchta and his wife Heidi of Kensington, and Jacqueline Kuchta and her husband David Wachter of Takoma Park. She is also survived by her step-son Robert Freese of Germantown and step-daughter Linda Privet of Brunswick, MD. She was predeceased by an infant daughter, Susan Virginia Kuchta. She is also survived by 18 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Kathie was devoted to her family. She will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed by them all.

Kathie made an anatomical gift to the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences in Bethesda, MD.

There will be a memorial service for Kathie on Friday August 19, 2011 at 11:00 AM at The Guild Memorial Chapel in Asbury Methodist Village, 211 Russell Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD, 20877. A reception will follow the service. Gifts in her memory may be made to the Asbury Foundation – Benevolent Fund, 201 Russell Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD, 20877, (301-216-4051).

Say hello to my Dad and Brother Kathie. Enjoy all the angels that have gone before you. Enjoy getting to know your Susan. I love you. Heidi