Dorothy Freedman, 87

Dorothy Freedman, a member of the East Hampton Ladies Village Improvement Society and a competitive bridge player who loved the arts, died at her East Hampton house on Feb. 14 with two of her children nearby. She was 87 and had been suffering from cancer for eight months. 

Ms. Freedman, who was called Dorie, became a full-time resident 15 years ago after having spent many summers and weekends here. In addition to being an active member of the L.V.I.S. and a competitive bridge player, she enjoyed membership in a local book club and attended many art openings in the region and performances at Guild Hall. She loved East Hampton “for the ocean and the fresh air,” her family said.

She was born in New York City on May 7, 1928, to Albert and Selda Gottesman. She grew up in Mount Vernon, N.Y., and attended school there, later earning a bachelor’s degree at Goucher College in Baltimore.

She and Nathaniel Freedman were married in the 1940s. The couple moved to Kings Point, where they brought up two sons and a daughter. They eventually divorced. Ms. Freedman lived in Great Neck for a time and, in 1974, returned to Manhattan, where she enrolled in Hunter College and received a master’s degree in urban affairs. She worked for the New York City Parks Department for several years.

Ms. Freedman leaves a son, Michael Freedman of Boca Raton, Fla., a daughter, Debra Freedman of Riverdale, N.Y., and six grandchildren. A sister, Helen Schwartzman of Mamaroneck, N.Y. also survives. One of her children, Mark Freedman, died in September.

A graveside service for Ms. Freedman was held last Thursday at Sharon Gardens in Valhalla, N.Y.