Mary Beth “MB” Freeman, 61, died peacefully at home with her husband Glenn by her side on Jan. 25, 2025, after a nearly 5-year struggle with bile duct cancer.
MB was born August 23, 1963 in Schenectady, New York to Nancy Blaicher Pollock and Orland Edward Pollock. After Schenectady, the family moved to New Jersey and finally to Dayton, Ohio where MB graduated from Oakwood High School. She attended the University of Kentucky and spent a semester in Spain before transferring to Hood College in Frederick, Maryland where she met the love of her life, Glenn Freeman. The two wed on Oct. 10, 1987 and moved to Vermont, then to Minneapolis where they spent a wonderful decade. They later moved to Gainesville, Florida, and in 2004, they moved to Cedar Rapids before eventually settling in Mount Vernon, Iowa, where MB felt warmly loved and truly at home. She worked at the Kirkwood Community College bookstore for many years before her illness forced her to retire in 2021. She was an active volunteer, especially enjoying her years on the Mount Vernon Area Arts Council and a long stint as volunteer coordinator with the Mount Vernon Chalk the Walk Festival.
MB had an irreverent, sarcastic side, and she could be honest to a fault, but she was big-hearted, generous and deeply loving. She was most at home in the outdoors. She hiked, kept a beautiful garden, canoed, and most importantly was a lifelong birder. Any day she had free time would find her out on a trail with binoculars in hand. She was a wonderful baker who loved to give bread as gifts. She was also a fabulous host who loved to throw parties, always centered around good food, drink, and laughter. Her hugs were legendary, and even if you just met her, you got one (admittedly even if you weren’t a hugger). She loved music, especially jazz, blues and the rhythms of New Orleans, and she always proudly supported local music. MB managed to find great joy in even the little day-to-day things around her. She had a great sense of humor and loved wordplay, a fan of the sounds of language, particularly alliteration. When she was sad, she liked to say “little ladle.” No, seriously, try it.
She is preceded in death by her parents, and her brother-in-law Gilbert Hester. She is survived by Glenn, her husband of 37 years, brother Jim Pollock of Colorado, sister Peggie Pollock of North Carolina, niece Ashley Zahedi of Colorado and nephews Justin and Tom Pollock, both of Texas.
Per her wishes, her body has been cremated, and no service or celebration is planned at this time. Instead, she requests that those so inclined spend 15 minutes in silence in a favorite outdoor spot listening to the wind and the birds.
Condolences may be submitted on IowaCremation.com under “obituaries.” Donations in MB’s memory can be made to the Holden Cancer Center at the University of Iowa or the Nature Conservancy, or any charity you believe in. She and Glenn would like to thank the amazing teams that have supported them over these long years and became like family. At the University, particular thanks go to Dr. Hemming, Dr. Berg, Dr. Fei, Emma, Lydia, and Mimi; at the Iowa Hospice of Johnson County, special thanks to Jill, Amber, and Chelsey. They also want to express deep gratitude to the Mount Vernon “Secret Santas” whose recent support was overwhelming. You proved yet again what a great town Mount Vernon is!!