Anne Conkle

Anne Conkle

(Anne Freeman)

July 23, 1920 ~ April 3, 2013

We celebrate and honor the memory of Anne Conkle, who lived a full and good life of 92 years. She was well loved and will be remembered fondly by those that knew her.

True to her spirit, Anne demonstrated her strength and independence in later life, remaining in the Seattle home overlooking Lake Washington which she had shared with her husband, Howard Conkle (married 1970). After the passing of her husband in 1996, Anne's stepson Brian Conkle and his dog Tsuki came to live with her in 2008. She also had a stepson, Gordon Conkle (died 1983). In Brian's words, "She was the best mom in the whole world...strong and independent and at the same time, a real sweetie. I admired and respected her." Her godchild (Maggie Djenohan-Sparkman and her siblings, children of friend Peg Sparkman) saw her as a real-life "fairy godmother" and she had a close community of neighbors and friends across the country who cared about her.

Anne was born in Cleveland, Ohio to Carlyle Freeman and Mary (Lyon) Freeman, who baptized her as Annette Freeman. She had a younger brother, Daniel Bronson Freeman (deceased 2010). Their family was a musical one, with Anne playing piano and violin and her brother cello, saxophone, clarinet and flute. Anne recalled fond memories of their childhood string ensemble, in which their mother would accompany them on piano. Her brother went on to become a professional jazz musician while Anne continued her music as a sideline and became a registered nurse. Growing up, her family would spend happy summers at arts festivals in Chautauqua, New York where their mother performed as a dramatic reader. Their father was a civil engineer and would often point out to the family various landmarks he had a hand in, such as bridges in the area.

Some of Anne's dear friends and relatives knew her by the nickname "Free", a contraction of her last name Freeman, which she acquired while attending Yale. There she earned her Master of Public Health Nursing degree after receiving her Bachelor's degree at Wooster. Anne went on to a career in public health nursing and administration, including working at Rainbow hospital in her hometown of Cleveland, OH and later at Harborview in Seattle, WA where she moved in 1956.

Anne was active and involved in a broad range of interests, including the outdoors, travel, politics and music. She was athletic, taking physical educa-tion as a minor in college. Her set of well-worn golf clubs was testimony for her love of the sport and she had some expertise in fencing as well as other active sports. Anne continued to ride her stationary bicycle for exercise into her 90's. Her husband Howard was in forestry and together they enjoyed the great outdoors, including hiking and West coast trips by car or train. They often took the ferry to the San Juans to visit their numerous friends there. Together, Anne and Howard owned a pair of beagles and later Anne adopted two rescue dogs of her own.

Anne was a member of the League of Women Voters and would often host meetings in her home. She stayed up on current events, reading the newspaper and watching PBS and Bill Moyers regularly but rarely watched television otherwise. She would prefer to listen to classical music or perhaps play the baby grand piano that she kept in her living room. Throughout her 92 years of life, Anne retained her active mind, intelligence, positive nature, sense of humor, and compassion for others. She smiled readily even in her last days. Anne "Free" Conkle will be missed and remembered dearly by those that knew and loved her.