Freda Belle Roby Comley was a Bedford, MA Elected Town Officer and Executive Board Member of the Bedford Grange, Massachusetts Grange, and National Grange. Freda Comley was recognized for her efforts as a spokeswoman, fundraiser, and advocate for the deaf and hearing impaired. Mrs. Comley was the appointed Secretary for the Bedford Grange for over 40 years. During World War II, Freda Comley served on the American Red Cross Motor Corp
Background
Freda Belle Roby was born in Lisbon, New Hampshire, and moved to Bedford, Massachusetts at age 13. She graduated from the Lexington Junior High School and Lexington High School because Bedford did not have its own upper schools until 1955.
Freda married John Ridgway Comley, Jr in 1928 and the couple had three children together and raised them in Bedford. Freda was elected and served as a Town Officer for over ten years. Freda was an advocate for the deaf and hearing-impaired and champion for support services for the elderly.
The Bedford Grange was founded in 1909 by John Ridgway Comley, who was John Ridgway Comley, Jr.’s father. Freda and John Ridway Comley, Jr served as Treasurer and Secretary for over 40 years. Freda and John Ridgway Comley, Jr. were members of Grange for over 70 years serving as committee chairs for various task forces. Freda was also a frequent organizer for The Grange Fairs, Boys & Girls Clubs, and 4H Clubs on the local and state level.
The couple celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary in 2004.
Education
1928 Lexington High School
Career
Freda Comley was a member of the American Red Cross Motor Corps from 1940 to 1945. Mrs. Comley was a motorist in the unit transporting volunteers and nurses to and from their posts at the Bedford Veterans Affairs Medical Center which specialized in treating neuropsychiatric patients.
From 1961 to 1970, Freda B. Comley was elected to the Bedford, Massachusetts Board of Public Welfare. She served as the Welfare Board Representative on the Bedford Council On Aging and was a delegate for The March of Dimes, environmental issues, and women’s rights.
Freda Comley was a member of the Grange for over 75 years and served as Secretary for over 40 years. Comley was also a member of the Home & Community Service Committee for the Massachusetts State Grange. The Grange is the oldest national agricultural organization in the United States, founded in 1867 to unite private citizens in improving the economic and social position of the nation's farm population and rural communities. Freda Comley played a critical role in fostering communication and ensuring proper management and utilization of important The Grange records. As Secretary, Comley was charged with recording minutes of meetings, organizational documents and providing a memorialized chronology of key information such as board actions, elections of officers or directors, and certain reports from committees and staff. The Bedford Grange No. 283 operated from 1909 until 2017 and Mrs. Comley’s 40+ years of documentation is in the Albert J. Thomas Library and Museum in Rutland, MA
Personality
Freda Comley was a candlepins bowling enthusiast. She was a member of an amateur club and senior citizen team and bowled until she was 92 years old.
Physical Characteristics:
Freda Comley was a cancer survivor, living 26 years after a double mastectomy.