Agnes "Nancy" Dudgeon Freckleton Rieper's Obituary
Agnes (Nancy) Dudgeon Freckleton Rieper was born August 25, 1920 to Willian and Margaret (Pennycook) Freckleton at Margin Cottage in Scotland. She was the eldest of three children, Jean and William being her brother and Sister.
Her first home was Cranstoun Estate, Pathhead Lord, about ten miles from Edinburgh, Scotland where her father was a game keeper for the estate. She began school at the age of six at Pathhead Lord. Six months later Nancy’s father changed jobs and moved the family to Carmichael and Lanarkshire, Scotland. After completing her elementary school education and passing the qualifying exams, she attended and graduated the Lanark Grammar School. When the Second World was declared in 1939, she fulfilled her childhood dream of becoming a nurse by joining the Civil Nursing Service, preparing the hospitals and the ambulance trains for the evacuation of the injured from the cities to the country. At the age of 21 she began her nurses training in Edinburgh, Scotland and graduated as a R.N., winning the Gold Medal for excellence. Nancy continued her training in London and became a registered Midwife, delivering babies in homes in and around London.
It was during this time she met a friend Johnnie Johnson (Boxer) and they Decided to emigrate to Canada in March 1952. Traveling across Canada by train, Nancy and Johnnie stopped and worked first in Lethbridge, Alberta and then continued on to Vancouver, British Columbia. While staying with relatives in Tacoma, she accompanied her Uncle James Freckleton and her
cousin Jean on a visit to the Tacoma State Game Farm, where she met her future husband, Clarence Rieper. This long distance courtship which started in February 1954 cumulated into a wedding on December 18, 1954, at the Little Church on the Prairie. From this union three children were born; Margaret, Ruth, and James.
Although being a stay-at-home mom, Nancy kept active by serving as President of the Custer School PTA, and was involved in the Girl Scouts with Clarence for 16 years. She was the Leader of her daughters Brownie, Junior, Cadette and Senior Girl Scout Troops.
Both Nancy’s and Clarence’s love of the out of doors took the troop on many camping and hiking adventures. Aside from the Scouts, Nancy and Clarence trekked many hiking trails in Washington State. Mount Rainer National Park in particular, was a favorite destination. Nancy was a charter member in the Tacoma British Wives Club, being one of the three members who founded the club.
In 1976, at the age of 56, she decided to learn to drive and then to go back to work as a nurse. She was very proud of the fact that she sat and passed state boards the first time without having to take any additional education. Nancy worked night shift at St Peter Hospital for 14 and one half years on the Obstetric /Gynecological floor. Nancy’s love of travel and adventure with likeminded friend’s and relative’s took her to Hawaii, on two cruises to Alaska and through the Panama Canal. She also tried cross-country and downhill skiing and went river rafting. Keeping up with modern technology, she learned to use the computer and a tablet to keep in touch with friends and Family via Facebook and e-mail.
Knitting was her favorite activity which she learned at the tender age of four. Friends and family received many knitted items, in particular baby outfits. Every year, a large assortment of hats and scarves knitted by Nancy were contributed to The Little Church on the Prairie’s annual Bazaar. She remained very active until about six weeks prior to her death. Nancy is survived by Margaret (Terry) Herron of Spokane WA, Ruth Rieper of Santa Fe, New Mexico, James Rieper of Lakewood, WA and a granddaughter Maree Herron as well as several cousins, and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband Clarence, her parents William and Margaret Freckleton and her brother William Freckleton. In lieu of flowers, suggested donations are to the Lakewood Food Bank or a charity of your choice.
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