Elisabeth Kellyn Freund, born July 6, 1988, passed away from this Earth and joined God’s angels on May 16, 2025. She was 36.
Elisabeth’s journey through life was shaped by extraordinary resilience. At just 13 years old, following a scoliosis surgery gone awry at Fairfax Hospital on September 11, 2001, her path was forever altered. The complications left her a quadriplegic and introduced a host of serious physical and neurological challenges. Elisabeth never let her circumstances dim her light even though she had many challenging and lengthy emergency stays – in hospitals and rehabilitation centers across the region – from Charlottesville to Baltimore. She faced each obstacle with courage, humor, and an indomitable spirit that inspired everyone who knew her. She taught us to embrace the little joys, live fully, and never give up.
A gorgeous blonde with a megawatt smile, Elisabeth was as beautiful as she was brilliant. Before her surgery, she was a gifted musician, she mastered both the piano and clarinet at a young age, filling her childhood home with music that brought joy to all who heard it. Her talent earned her a place performing with the Alexandria Youth Symphony Orchestra at the Masonic Temple—an unforgettable moment for her and her proud family. She also enjoyed games and mathematics, was fluent in Spanish, enjoyed socializing and loved all animals, especially dogs and horses. She was able to continue with these favorite activities all her life.
She cherished time with her family and friends, her beloved dogs Princess and Pixie, and her cat Angel. Elisabeth loved dancing, going to the movies, most “junk” food, and spontaneous adventures. Once, she persuaded her family to take a cross-country round-trip train ride just to attend her cousin Alex’s wedding. On another occasion, she rerouted a Vegas-bound flight (en route to her cousin Casey’s wedding) to swing by St. Louis and visit distant relatives. Elisabeth had a flair for keeping life interesting and her loved ones on their toes.
Elisabeth was a passionate advocate for individuals with special needs, bringing her voice and experience all the way to Capitol Hill. She never wanted to be called or labeled as disabled or handicapped. Just special. The advocacy organizations she was most active with were the Endependence Center of Northern Virginia, the National Council for Independent Living and the United Spinal Association.
Elisabeth graduated from West Potomac High School and then pursued a degree in photography at Northern Virginia Community College, using her artistic eye to tell powerful stories—both her own and those of others. Life became especially challenging but no less rewarding and fulfilling when in her later years it became difficult for her loved ones to communicate as at first with Elisabeth. She remained buoyant and loving and all who knew her loved to be in her presence.
Above all, Elisabeth will be remembered for her radiant smile, fierce determination, originality, and capacity to triumph over the unimaginable. She was a trusted confidante, a devoted hugger, and a shining example of perseverance. Her memory lives on in all who knew her—and her light will forever illuminate the hearts of her friends and family.
Elisabeth was predeceased by her great-grandmothers, Lou Edna Turner and Virginia Angus, her grandfather, Edward Freund and her grandmother, Norma Jarman.. She is survived by her mother, Denise; father, Ken; brother, Ahren and his wife, Maura; nephews, Jackson and Forest, and grandmother Carol. Also, aunts and uncles (Mark and Terry Jarman; Nancy and David Hicks) as well as a beloved and broader circle of family, friends and companions.
