Lillian DeFreese

October 24, 1942 - April 7, 2022

Lillian (Jaye Bird) Jane Van Dunk De Freese, of Newburgh, New York, entered into eternal rest on April 7th, 2022 after a long illness. Jaye was born October 24th, 1942 in Suffern, New York to Merika Mann and Walter M. Van Dunk Jr. She was the first granddaughter and niece on her father's side of the family and was completely adored by them all. Jaye, along with John David De Freese, who predeceased her in 2020, are survived by their 9 children; John David Jr., Jay Thomas, Stephen William, Kimberly Anne, Kristin Lyn, Scott Morris, Leanne, James Michael, and Lauren Michelle, as well as granddaughters Lillian and Elizabeth. Jaye is also survived by her brother, Walter M Van Dunk III and her sister, Elizabeth Claire DeFino and several nieces and nephews and cousins and in-laws. Jaye was passionate about many things, including flowers, plants, birds, baking and cooking, but her greatest love was her family and to that, she devoted her entire life. Nothing was more special to her than the love of her family and it’s her surviving family who are absolutely heartbroken and missing her but know that she’s with the rest of her family now and she’s in peace again. For that, we can smile. Some tears never dry but we, the family of Lillian, will treasure all of our memories with her over the past more than 79 years and in those memories we can rejoice.