Freda Mary Peisley

Freda Mary Peisley, 77, died peacefully on September 8, 2025 at Highland Hospital hospice after a long battle with cancer. She was born October 10, 1947 in New York City, the only child of the artist W. John Peisley and Georgine Peisley (nee Hance).

She was raised in both Connecticut and Long Island, NY before moving to Mumford, NY. It was there that she discovered the Genesee Country Museum, her life’s work and home away from home. With a growing interest in textiles she studied at RIT’s School of American Crafts, Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts and also in Sweden. Her talents in the textile arts led her to her job at the museum where she remained for forty years! She worked as the village hand spinner and weaver but also participated in historical demonstrations of cooking, quilting and natural dyeing of wool. Teaching was one of her joys and her classes were popular whether as a part of Summer Sampler, the museum’s kids’ camp, adult learning or participating in special events. She was also an accomplished tatter, sewist, basket maker, embroiderer, knitter and crocheter. If it was textile related, it was Freda!

Freda loved antiques and thrifting, always looking for that special treasure, skein of yarn, cat collectible or other addition to her collections. Sheep were her favorite, followed closely by books and anything related to textiles. She had assembled two dollhouse miniature displays, one a house that included a perfectly crafted tiny loom and another of a Victorian kitchen. Reading was a passion and her home was filled with the classics, current novels and murder mysteries.

As a member of the Rochester Scottish Heritage Society she never missed attending their annual dinner honoring the poet Robert Burns. She loved to travel whether to weaving and spinning events, Celtic festivals, to visit friends, Montezuma Wildlife Refuge to look for birds or farther afield to Ireland. Freda was a longtime member of the Rochester Weavers’ Guild and participated in many of their events. She was always seen at their Holiday Sale both selling her work and teaching. She also participated in the activities of the Genesee Valley Handspinners Guild. Freda loved lavender and delighted in making lavender wands and teaching this traditional craft to others. Cooking was a passion and she loved creating fresh, good-for-you meals often using produce from the small garden she kept outside of her apartment. Freda volunteered at the Alling Coverlet Museum in Palmyra and also worked each year at the polls on election day. In her younger days she raised sheep and used their wool for her natural dyeing and hand spinning projects.

Those who knew Freda loved and enjoyed her and regarded her as a force to be reckoned with as a generous, loving and caring person. She would tackle each day with energy whether caring for her beloved cat Merlin or pursuing her singular passion of textiles. All who knew Freda will never forget her beautiful red hair and soft, sweet warm smile. Although life had dealt her some hard blows, she forged ahead and created a new life out of the ashes of the old. Her kindness, generous spirit and talent will be missed. Freda is preceded in death by her parents W. John Peisley and Georgine Peisley. She is survived by cousins, her beloved cat Merlin and many, many dear friends in the Rochester area and beyond.

Her friends will host a Celebration of Life Saturday, October 25, 2025 from 2:00—4:00 at the home of Barbara Scott 1374 Jenks Road Avon, NY 14414. A time to share memories will begin at 2:30. As Freda enjoyed a “spot of tea” and a sweet each afternoon, we will be serving tea, coffee and sweets in her honor. If you like, please bring one to share i.e. cookies, cake etc.

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