In Loving Memory

Cheryl Rose Freeman

Cheryl Rose Freeman (Cheri) of Chewelah left us, surrounded by family,
April 29. Her final weeks were spent in Hospice of Spokane's Hospice
House. She was born May 21, 1948 in Boulder, CO to Leonard Randall and
Lucille Mary Spicer (Porter). They moved to Pullman, WA in 1955 where
her father taught and was the WSC marching and symphonic band conductor
until he retired.

After high school Cheri attended WSU, studying for a major in English
Education and a minor in Music. She met Mitchell Freeman her sophomore
year and they were married in 1969. Son Tyler came along in 1972 and
that fall they moved from Palouse, WA to the mountains near Chewelah,
WA. Two more children followed, Katie in 1975 and Bert (BJ) 1978. Cheri
lived a life filled with children and farming. She excelled as an
American Dairy Goat Judge, traveling the nation judging. In the late
80's she discovered the Woodland Theater in Kettle Falls and picked up
her flute and piccolo again. Orchestra, choir, acting and directing
became her passion. Back then Chewelah had a small troupe she acted
with, which eventually grew to become the Chewelah Performing and
Cultural Arts Center (PACA).

She loved roses and tended a yard full of flower and garden beds.
Camping with her ever growing family became a summer ritual. She worked
for the USPS from 1985 until retiring in 2012, spending 11 years as a
rural relief until in '96 becoming a full time rural carrier. Joining
the union early on she rose from being a local steward of the Washington
Rural Letter Carriers' Association to being elected its president.
Lobbying in DC and attending union conventions gave her opportunity to
explore more regions of our wonderful country. In 2013 she retired from
full time steward work. To the end she was socially and politically
woke, marching and working with others to bring about positive change,
using her voice to promote awareness of need for reform in health care,
women's rights, climate… she believed in basic rights for all.

Cheri served her church, the United Church of Christ, with her loving
spirit and song and flute. She walked the walk, lifting rather than
putting anyone down. Her family, church and theatrical friends held her
close the ten years she LIVED with cancer, energizing her during the
good days of chemo treatments and clinical trials.

Her parents and older brother Ben preceded her in death. She is survived
by her husband Mitch of Chewelah, brother Frank Spicer (Bellevue, WA),
sister Nelwyn McKee (Ashland, OR), her children, Tyler Freeman (Omak,
WA), BJ Freeman (Spokane, WA) and Katie Peterson (Sandpoint, ID) and 12
grandchildren plus 1 great-grandchild.

For memorial gifts consider: Chewelah Performing and Cultural Arts,
Hospice of Spokane, Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, the local food bank…