Molly Freedman (nee Crasner)

Molly Crasner Freedman passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 16, 2022. Born in 1935 to Philip and Clara Crasner, she grew up in the Girard section of West Philadelphia in an apartment above her parents’ candy store. Molly was a proud alum of Leidy Elementary School, Beeber Junior High School, and West Philadelphia High School.  She enjoyed singing the alma maters of each of these schools throughout her life.

Molly met the love of her life, Robert Freedman, at her Cousin Barry’s high school graduation party in Wynnefield. Molly and Bob were engaged six weeks later, married in January 1959, and moved to Jenkintown. As Molly raised her two active sons, she was very engaged volunteer at Lynnewood Elementary School, the Old York Road Little League, and as the den mother for the neighborhood Cub Scout troop.   

Molly returned to Temple University as an adult student and worked hard to earn a Bachelor of Social Work degree while her two sons were in high school. Molly prided herself on being a conscientious student and earning (much) better grades than either of her two sons. 

Molly had a twenty-year career and enjoyed her work for the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HAIS) and the Jewish Family Service at the David Neuman Senior Center in the northeast. She lovingly supported the needs of hundreds of Yiddish speaking immigrants from Russia and helped them to assimilate to life in America. Molly also worked in her son David’s Commercial Real Estate Brokerage Firm (The Freedman Company) on Walnut Street for a few years and was an invaluable support.

Molly and Bob collected Yiddish music throughout their marriage and established the Robert & Molly Freedman Jewish Sound Archive, housed in the Van Pelt Library at The University of Pennsylvania. Molly was instrumental in building the Archive by encouraging Bob to acquire recordings when he travelled on business in the United States. Whenever they travelled internationally, she insisted that she and Bob visit every record store they could find. The Freedman Archive is now a world class and internationally known resource.

Molly was a happy and loving person who always saw the best in others. Caring and affectionate, Molly cherished her relationships with family and friends, and was beloved in return. To Molly, the sun was always shining. She was trusting and respectful of others and a wonderful role model to her two sons, to whom she gave her unconditional love.

Among Molly’s many interests were ballet dancing, sewing, organizing countless family photographs, listening to Yiddish music, playing tennis, swimming, and spending time with lifelong friends.

Molly is survived by her husband of 63 years, Robert Freedman; sons Albert and David (Wendee Pratt) Freedman; granddaughters, Cara Freedman and Maya Pratt-Freedman; and her nieces and nephews, Marty and Marshall Freedman, Sharon Shelanski, Rosalee DiIulio, Suzanne Starker, and Josh “Jake the Fake” Crasner. Molly was predeceased by her parents, her brother, Aaron Crasner, and her grandson, Malcolm Jack Freedman.

Our family will always be grateful for the loving, skilled, and compassionate care provided by her caregivers, Maria Lawrence, Zoraida Pedraza, and Annie Wilson.  Because of their steadfast dedication and unending kindness, Molly experienced her caregivers as members of her extended family.

Relatives and friends are invited to services on Tuesday, June 21st at 11:00 AM. Joseph Levine & Sons (West) 2811 West Chester Pike, Broomall PA. Burial will follow at Haym Salomon Memorial Park. Shiva will be observed at the Watermark at Logan Square beginning at 7:00pm on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Molly’s memory may be made to Cure SMA, 925 Busse Road, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007(www.curesma.org).