Lareina (Bankert) Fream

LaReina Mae Fream, 90, a resident of Homewood at Plum Creek in Hanover, PA, passed away on Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at Hanover General Hospital with her family and her close friends by her side.  Born January 4, 1932, in Taneytown, MD, she was the daughter of the late Sargent and Carrie (Eckard) Bankert.  She was the wife of the late George A. Fream, to whom she was married for 68 years.  He passed away on January 27, 2019.

LaReina retired from Hanover General Hospital in 1994.  She was a Medical Secretary in the Lab.  She enjoyed homemaking, and was an avid flower gardener.  She and her husband enjoyed traveling/cruising in the states and abroad.  She was a former officer of the Littlestown Garden Club, and was a member of the State of Pennsylvania Garden Club and the National Garden Club.  She was an active alumnus from the Taneytown High School class of 1949, helping to arrange class reunions every five years.  She was a former officer of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARF) Chapter 1797, Hanover, and was a former officer of Homewood at Plum Creek Auxiliary.  She enjoyed attending the monthly lunches of HIGH retirees.  She also enjoyed seasonal decorating, dancing, flower gardening, playing 500, collecting/preparing new food recipes, fashions, and collecting/wearing ladies’ hats.  LaReina was known by many as “The Hat Lady.”

She is survived by her daughter, Diane Wilhide and husband Dan of Keymar; and many nieces and nephews.  She lost a long-time friend, Betty (Byrd) Graham due to illness in November, 2019.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 17, 2022 at New Hope Faith Community Church, 33 Sunday Drive, Hanover, PA 17331, with Pastor Jim Herbert officiating.  A luncheon at the church will follow the service.  Burial will then take place at Grace UCC Cemetery in Taneytown.  The family will receive friends 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Friday,, December 16th at Myers-Durboraw Funeral Home, 136 E. Baltimore St., Taneytown, MD.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in LaReina’s name may be made to New Hope Faith Community Church at the above address or to Homewood at Plum Creek, 425 Westminster Ave., Hanover, PA 17331.