November 7, 1930 – March 16, 2018
Pacific Grove
At dawn on March 16, Alice Jane Freeman, 87, passed away peacefully at home after a decades-long struggle with respiratory disease. She drew her final breath in the arms of her beloved husband Jerry as the sun was rising.
Born in Frankfort, Indiana to Mary Sims Aughe and Maurice Matthew Rogers, Alice was the eldest of three children. She loved her family and enjoyed a close relationship with her brother Jim and sister Mary Ann to the very end of her life. Alice graduated from Frankfort High School in 1949 and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from DePauw University in 1954, where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. She met Jerry Alan Freeman in French class at DePauw, and romance blossomed. They were married on June 12, 1954 and honeymooned in Chicago, where they cheered for the Cubs in a double header against the New York Giants. Alice and Jerry sustained a profoundly loving and supportive relationship for 63 wonderful years.
Alice and Jerry moved from Indiana to Colorado in 1960 after Jerry finished his medical residency and joined an anesthesiology practice at Presbyterian Hospital in Denver. Capable, energetic and organized, Alice’s delightful optimism and genuine loving nature were treasured by all who knew her. Along with raising four children, Alice was an active member of First Plymouth Congregational Church and taught Sunday School, served as Church Clerk, chaired many committees and was a member of the Sacred Dance Group and the bell choir. In 2006 she was honored with the Caring Award in appreciation for her volunteer work with The Listening Post and the 9 Health Fair.
Although dedicated to community service, there was no doubt that Alice’s greatest love and deepest devotion was to her family and friends. She supported her children in their various activities and there was no bigger fan at any of their tennis, basketball, lacrosse or equestrian competitions. Alice and Jerry built a lovely residence in Cherry Hills Village with a magnificent view of the front range and close proximity to the Village Club and the High Line Canal Trail, where Alice enjoyed walking, jogging, bird watching and hunting wild asparagus. The home on Carriage Lane was a special gathering place for friends and family for many years. Alice treasured the friendships she made through golf and tennis, bridge, watercolor classes and travel. She was a wonderful hostess and greeted every houseguest with warm conversation – and a grilled cheese sandwich!
After living in Colorado for 52 years, Alice and Jerry moved to Pacific Grove, CA in 2012 to be near their daughter Linda and enjoy the health benefits of living at sea level. They enjoyed their afternoon walks along the stunning Asilomar coastline and their conversations with new friends at their favorite bench. Alice stayed connected to her many friends and family members via telephone and email, and watched every televised Denver Broncos game, dressed in orange and blue. Alice dealt with her lung disease in the same way she lived the rest of her life: with optimism, selflessness and unwavering strength.
Alice is survived by her husband Jerry Freeman, her brother James Rogers of Indianapolis, and sister Mary Ann Snyder of Mount Pleasant, SC; sister-in-law Melva Freeman of Fort Meyers, FL; her four children Mark Freeman of Black Hawk CO, Linda Wilsey (David) of Pacific Grove, CA, Andrew Freeman (Bella) of Petaluma, CA and Daniel Freeman of Ward, CO; grandchildren Katy Lugge, Laura Wilsey, Lindsay Freeman, Brian Wilsey, Huxley Anne Nauheim, Josey Freeman; and great-granddaughter Mikaila Peters. She also leaves behind numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and the many good friends she made over her lifetime.
Donations in memory of Alice J. Freeman can be made to to First Plymouth Congregational Church, (Englewood, CO), DePauw University (Greencastle, IN), Animal Friends Rescue Project, (Pacific Grove CA) or your favorite charity.
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