Memorial Tribute: Freya Wasel, OBM

In loving memory of Freya Wasel z”l
January 21, 1948 – April 5, 2025

(Edmonton) – With great sadness and broken hearts the family of Freya Wasel announces that she passed away peacefully in her home in Edmonton on April 5, 2025.  Freya was born in St. Boniface Hospital on January, 21, 1948 and grew up on Inkster Blvd. in the north end of Winnipeg. She attended Inkster, Luxton, and St. John’s schools and received awards for academic achievement.  She also attended Peretz Yiddish night school. Freya continued her studies at the University of Manitoba, earning a Bachelor of Science degree and majoring in physics.  She married Lewis during her final year of university.  After graduation she was employed by the Manitoba Telephone System for two years in the traffic and engineering departments. She then left the work force to bear and raise her children, Norman and Rebecca.

Ten years after her first university graduation, Freya returned to the University of Manitoba in the Faculty of Education. She earned a Bachelor of Education degree and then began a new career as a teacher.  Freya taught at Vincent Massey Collegiate in Fort Garry for 21 years. Her primary subject was physics, but she is also remembered for an extra-curricular activity. She coordinated and chaperoned student tours to foreign countries during spring break periods. Those tours enabled her to travel to every continent except Antarctica. Freya retired prematurely and moved to Edmonton to take care of her grandchildren.

Freya was predeceased by her parents, Alvin and Anne Gardner and her brother Norman Gardner. She is survived by Lewis, her husband of 57 years, her son Norman (Leanne) Wasel, daughter Rebecca (Shane) Asbell, grandchildren Aliza (Eitan), Daniella, Asher, Hila, Zev, Yaffa, Caleb, Koby and Yoni. Freya is also survived by her brother Arnold Gardner, sister Rhoda (Sid) Greenstone, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Ellen and Ron Dlin, uncle and aunt Hy and Donna Dubo, nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

Freya was known for her friendly nature and smile.  She made everyone with whom she interacted feel important.  She was very caring for her students who in return treated her with respect and affection.  Freya was community minded and participated in many charitable organizations.  She is dearly missed but leaves us with fond memories and her spirit will remain with us.