Leslie Freeman Van Deren

Mrs. Van Deren was born and grew up in Indianapolis, IN. She raised her family and resided in Newport News, VA, for four decades and lived her final years in Midlothian, VA.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Richard W. Van Deren, and by her parents Dr. L. Willard and Margaret Freeman. She is survived by her three children (and their spouses), Andrew Van Deren, Julia Van Deren (Dr. Jennifer Carnahan), and Mark Van Deren (Emily Van Deren); by her five siblings (and their spouses) Julia Freeman, Mary Ellison, Fran Davis (Richard Davis), Bill Freeman (Becky Freeman), and Bob Freeman (Linda Freeman); and by her four grandchildren, Ada Carnahan-Van Deren, Jackson Van Deren, Brady Van Deren, and Camden Van Deren.

Mrs. Van Deren attended Indiana University and graduated from Christopher Newport College. Early in her adulthood, she worked in the pharmaceutical industry. She spent many years as a homemaker and served on the Hilton Elementary School PTA. As her children grew, Mrs. Van Deren returned to the work force, teaching high school English and coaching debate for three decades in Newport News Public Schools. In recent years, she was active at her church, Bon Air Presbyterian, including becoming an Elder in 2021.

She will be remembered for her dedication to her family, her passion for education, and the warmth of her spirit.

The family will host funeral services at Bon Air Presbyterian Church (Midlothian, VA) at 2pm Friday, February 25th and a visitation at Hilton Presbyterian Church (Newport News, VA) from 2-4pm Saturday, February 26th. Memorials may take the form of contributions to Feed More (https://feedmore.org/ ), a Central Virginia organization dedicated to feeding people who are food insecure across 29 counties and five cities.