Freya T. Stumbras

Freya T. (Valladares) Stumbras, 78 of Worcester, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 23, 2014 at UMASS Medical Center surrounded by her loving family. Freya is survived by her son, Renato J. Stumbras of Westminster; her two daughters, D. Marcela Swan and her husband Robert of Paxton, and Irena Stumbras of Worcester; six grandchildren, Cassandra Towner and her husband Bruce of Holden, Evelyn Marrone and her husband Michael of Paxton, Antonio Stumbras of Woonsocket, RI, Timothy Harris of Worcester, Alex and Alysha Swan of Paxton; seven great grandchildren, Alexia, Dylan, Lillian, Hannah, Jacob, Sofia and Julian. She is predeceased by her brother, Danilo Alvaro Valladares. Freya was born in San Jose, Costa Rica, the daughter of the late Romero and Alicia (Zuchini) Valladares. She graduated from El Colegio de las Senoritas and later received her bachelors in Education from the University of Costa Rica. She moved to Worcester in 1965 and received her bachelors in English from Worcester State College. Freya worked as a clerk at Worcester City Hall for over ten years before she retired in 1997. She previously worked as an elementary school teacher in Costa Rica for eight years and for Head Start in Worcester as a teaching assistant. She enjoyed traveling, shopping and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Service for Freya will be held on Wednesday, January 29, 2014 from the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St., Worcester with a Mass at 10:30 a.m. in St. Peter's Church, 931 Main St., Worcester. Burial will be held privately. A period of calling hours will be held on Tuesday, January 28th from 4-6 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: "In Memory of Freya Stumbras," c/o Santander Bank, 51 Gold Star Boulevard, Worcester, MA, 01605. All donations received will go directly to the Fundacion Hospicio De Huerfanos, which is a Children's Orphanage in Costa Rica. To share your thoughts and memories of Freya, please visit her personal guestbook at www.mercadantefuneral.com