Sallyann Freeman

Sallyann Freeman passed Sunday, June 1^st following a lengthy illness with cancer. She is survived by her husband, Jim, her sister, Geraldine Liermann of Taos, NM, and her daughters Anna Freeman-Samson of Durango, CO and Katherine Freeman of Pheonix, AZ. Her very most favorite person in this world was her granddaughter Penelope Quinn Samson, 13, of Durango. Jim and Sally were married for 51 years.

Born 1944 in Canton, Illinois to Merle and Vonda Harwick, Sallyann held a degree in education from the University of Illinois class of 1968. She taught high school in California and Arizona specializing in English as a Second Language. She was a school counselor with Piedra Vista High School and some of her fondest memories were of working with the students there. She finished her career as a family counselor with Rebecca Jasper and Associates of Farmington.

Sallyann was a 50-year member of General Grand Chapter of the Eastern Star Celestial City Chapter No 333.  

Her favorite pastime was reading, and, better yet, reading in her fifth wheel next to a high country mountain stream.

Sallyann was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, counselor, and an excellent and treasured friend. Her patience, enthusiasm and guiding hand will be sorely missed.

She was a 35-year Friend of Bill W., an achievement of which she was very proud.

A simple and unassuming person, Sally did not wish for any services or memorials to be held in her memory.

Years ago, she picked the following poem by Clare Harner to reflect her feelings to her family and friends on her passing.

Do not stand at my grave and weep;

I am not there. I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning’s hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,

I am not there.

I do not sleep.