Sarah Freeman Stelter

1934 - 2015

Sarah Freeman Stelter

Sarah Freeman Stelter, 80, of Clyde Hill, died Tuesday May 19, 2015. Born in 1934 in Seattle to the late F. Kemper Freeman, Sr. and Clotilde Devoe Freeman. Sarah graduated from the Westridge School for Girls in Pasadena and went on to attend Stanford University (Humanities & Sciences). She later received her Masters in Public Administration from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. She married Frederick Carl Stelter III in 1958 (divorced 1975) and she raised and supported their three children in Las Vegas until 1983, when she returned to the Northwest. In Las Vegas, she worked as Executive Director of the Voluntary Action Center. She also served in a variety of civic leadership positions, including: Member, State Environmental Commission; President, Las Vegas chapter of the American Society for Public Administration; President, Junior League of Las Vegas; Founder, Las Vegas chapter of the Assistance League; President and founding board member, Southern Nevada Gymnastic Association, and; Member of the Nevada Gaming Commission.

Upon moving to Clyde Hill in 1983, Sarah took up competitive rowing -first with Seattle Yacht Club and later with Pocock Rowing. Over several years, she & the team won regional, national and international medals. Sarah was a leader in developing the team and promoting the sport. She served as the chair of Seattle Yacht Club women's rowing and was a Founding Board Member of the Pocock Rowing Foundation. She also served as a board member for Eastside Mental Health, and was an active member of the Sunset Club, the Seattle Yacht Club and the Bellevue Athletic Club. Sarah and her children owned and operated the Yankee Peddler stores for 17 years.

Sarah is survived by her brother F. Kemper Freeman, Jr. (Betty) and sister Elizabeth Freeman, and by her son Eric Stelter (Kay), daughter Lynne Parrott (John) as well as seven beloved grandchildren. Daughter Katie Stelter Belisle (Rick) predeceased her in 2012; as did sister, Clotilde McDougall (Bruce) in 2011. Sarah is best remembered for her unflagging humor, and as a pioneering leader with a tirelessly positive attitude, who put people first.

Memorial services will be held at 2:30 PM Thursday, June 4 at Seattle Yacht Club. In lieu of flowers kindly consider a donation to the Pocock Rowing Foundation.