UNION — Patricia Ann Freyenhagen, 75, died unexpectedly on April 4, 2016 , due to complications following surgery, surrounded by her loving family, at Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick.

Born Jan. 26, 1941, in Brattleboro, Vt., she was the daughter of Adin and Phyllis Dunbar Bingham. Growing up Vermont she was educated locally and was a 1959 graduate of Brattleboro Union High School.

Following high school Pat attended nursing school at Henry Putnam School of Nursing in Bennington, Vt., where she earned her license as a licensed practical nurse. She began her long nursing career at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. It was at this time that Pat had the good fortune of running into an old friend from high school, James “Jim” Freyenhagen, whom she'd dated a time or two. On this particular occasion Jim was home on leave dressed in his Coast Guard uniform. The rest, as they say, is history.

Jim and Pat were married on Feb. 10, 1962, in their hometown of Brattleboro. Jim has since remarked that he actually picked Pat out when she was just 13 and would ride in her father's truck to the filling station, where Jim was pumping gas. The pair moved to Portland, where Jim was stationed, residing there for a few years. Their next adventure took them to Alaska and the family grew with the addition of children.

The family returned to the East Coast in 1971 and settled in Union in 1973.

When her children were young, Pat worked as a private duty nurse, which allowed her to pursue her passion for nursing, while spending time with her children as well. Later Pat went to work at Camden Health Care, continuing even when that facility became Quarry Hill. For more than 34 years Pat provided excellent care to her patients, retiring in 2011.

Following the untimely and tragic death of her daughter, Bonnie, in 2007, Pat, with the help of her other daughter, Becky, took up quilting to try and process their emotions. Throughout the years spent working together they have leaned on each other, loved each other, cried together and helped each other out. During this process, Pat became a very accomplished quilter. She finished many beautiful quilts that adorn her home, and others that she has given away as gifts.

Pat and her husband have always enjoyed the outdoors. As a younger woman, she often took to the woods with her husband, going hunting and fishing. Together they have operated Freyenhagen's Family Farm in Union for many years. She helped tend the large garden, which provided for a booth at the farmers market, took care of all their animals, from cows to rabbits, and also helped with the maple sugar/syrup process, producing the famous Freyenhagen Maple Syrup. Pat had a green thumb of her own and cultivated many beautiful flower gardens.

Family was most important to Pat. She loved spending time together and was extremely proud of her grandson. She was especially proud to have been able to attend his graduation from West Point Military Academy.

Pat's passing leaves a huge hole in the hearts of all who loved her.

Predeceased by her daughter, Bonnie Sue in 2007; Pat is survived by her beloved husband, James E. “Jim” Freyenhagen of Union; her son, James A. Freyenhagen and his wife, Liz, of Washington; her daughter, Becky McMillan and her husband, Paul, of Lisbon Falls; her grandson, Patrick Brown and his fiancée, Keagan Tafler, of Georgetown, Texas; her sisters, Stephanie Tribuna and her husband, Steven Campbell, of Dedham, Mass., and Shirley Prouty and her husband, Douglas, of Keene, N.H.; her brothers, Stephen P. Bingham and his wife, Charlotte, of Hot Springs, N.C., and Robert C. Bingham and his wife, Brenda, of Windham, Vt.; her beloved dog, Brandy; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to visit on Monday, April 11, from 11 a.m. to noon, with a celebration of life following immediately at noon, at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St. in Rockland. The Rev. Peter Jenks will officiate. Interment will be held Saturday, April 23, at 10 a.m. at East Union Cemetery on Miller Road in Union.