Obituaries : * Martha Freedenberg; Camarillo Homemaker

Martha Freedenberg of Camarillo, the daughter of immigrants who family members said kept her spirit despite the deaths of her husband and children, has died. She was 87.

The cause was pneumonia that followed a broken hip, said her daughter-in-law, Francene Freedenberg.

“She was just a very happy, loving person. She saw the silver lining in everything,” she said.

Martha Freedenberg was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., to a woman who was smuggled out of Russia to escape pogroms and a man who entered the United States through Ellis Island. While living in Long Island, N.Y., she bred German shepherds and enjoyed gardening.

She came to California in 1974 with her husband, who was a wedding photographer and camera salesman. He died of a stroke in 1977. Her daughter died of breast cancer and her son, Dr. Mark Freedenberg, died after a bicycle accident earlier this year.

“Her whole life was just her family,” Francene Freedenberg said. “She never worked, never drove a car. Women don’t live like that anymore.”

In addition to her daughter-in-law, she is survived by seven grandchildren.

A funeral was held Wednesday at Conejo Mountain Memorial Park. Memorial contributions can be made to Chabad of Ventura or Camarillo Jewish Family Services.