Sarah Jane Coe Freeman, known to those who loved her as Sally, passed away leaving a legacy interwoven with profound compassion and resilience. Born on December 17, 1941, in Laingsburg, Michigan, Sally spent her life in the service of others, from her professional career as a nurse to her personal life as the bedrock of her family.
Sally’s journey was marked by both immense love and significant loss. She endured the heartache of losing her beloved children, Andrew Coe and Sarah Rebecca, and her adoring husband of 32 years, Stewart H. Freeman, along with nine siblings and her treasured son-in-law Ross Baldwin. Through these trials, Sally's strength and capacity to care for others only deepened, serving as a testament to her extraordinary character.
Her life’s work extended beyond her immediate family to her patients across several medical facilities, including St. Lawrence, Lansing General, Ingham Medical, Health Central, and ICMCF on Dobie Road. Sally also played a pivotal role in the lives of her nieces, nephews, neighbors, and friends. People often sought Sally's counsel, finding solace and clarity at her kitchen table. Sally had a remarkable gift for distilling complex situations into manageable steps, leaving her visitors feeling empowered and reassured, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
Sally’s compassionate spirit remains a beacon for all who knew her. She is survived by her children, Allan D. Freeman and Rachel Freeman-Baldwin, who continue to honor her legacy of kindness. She also leaves behind her brother David and his wife Pam, many beloved nieces and nephews, and her grandchildren, Fiona and Patch Baldwin, whom she cherished as her “two favorite people in the world.”
Understanding Sally’s own experiences with grief, and her lifelong commitment to helping others heal, the family suggests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Sally’s memory to Ele's Place, a healing center for grieving children. This gesture would reflect Sally’s enduring spirit of care and her wish to support those experiencing loss to find comfort and hope. May her legacy continue to inspire and guide us.
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