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Esther FREEMAN Obituary
It is with great sadness that the family of Esther Kristine Freeman announce her passing on November 15, 2011, at the age of 83.
Esther will be lovingly remembered and dearly missed by her husband, Elwyn, of 61 years, their children; son Douglas, daughters, Holly (George), Dawna (Peter), Faye (Randy), Tracey (Tim), seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, her sister Gertrude Eikeland, brothers Mel Skaar (Judy), Harvey Skaar (Joan) and Lance Skaar (Darlene).
Cremation has taken place and no funeral service will be held.
Esther Freeman was born in Grande Prairie, AB, on October 28, 1928. During her career as an art instructor and portrait artist, she was president of the Edmonton Art Club and the Alberta Society of Artists.
The family wishes to thank Dr. E. Cahill and staff at the Strathcona CapitalCare centre for their passion in caring for Esther. In lieu of flowers, in memory of Esther, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Society.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
47 Entries
December 13, 2011
Dear Elwyn and Family: I was so sorry to hear of the loss of Esther. She was a beautiful painter and a very gentle person. On behalf of the Alberta Society of Artists, I would like to express my sincere condolences to you and your family.
Sincerely,
Joanna Moore
President
Alberta Society of Artists
Gal pals Esther and Mary Martens on one of several painting trips.
Dawna Freeman
December 11, 2011
Mel & Judy Skaar
December 10, 2011
I was very sad to have just heard of the loss of my Sister. Our condolences go out to Elwyn, Dawna, Holly, Faye, Doug, Tracey and families. We will always cherish the paintings of the portrait of Agnes and the Elk.
Shoes off, settled in to sketch near Edson in 1979.
Dawna Freeman
December 6, 2011
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Esther painting totem poles in Kispiox, B.C. in May, 1980.
Dawna Freeman
December 6, 2011
Cheryl Davies
November 30, 2011
Dear Elwyn, Holly, Dawna, Fay, Tracy and Doug,
I want to express my condolences to all of you on the passing of Esther - your beloved wife and mother. I have so many wonderful memories of growing up with your family, and your mom was at the center of many experiences with her twinkling blue eyes and impish smile. She had such a soft, gentle presence that always made me feel calm and welcome, no matter how many neighbourhood kids were running in/out of your house! I had the great fortune to see her paint, having had my portrait done by her as well, and also witnessed her incredible strength of will, determination and focus. She was such a generous, sensitive, intelligent and talented woman - capable of such sensuality as reflected in some of her paintings. Today, I have no less than five of her paintings proudly displayed in my home. It was an honour to have known her. Thank you for sharing her with me and many others in the world, as we will remember her with great love and tenderness always. Love Cheryl
Frances Cuyler
November 28, 2011
Dear Elwyn and Family,
So sorry to hear of Esther's passing.Your article in the Journal was outstanding, Dawna. She really was a special person.
My condolences to you all. Fran Cuyler
November 28, 2011
Dear Freemans,
I was very sad to hear about your Mom's/Wife's passing. I have happy memories of her - when she painted my portrait (twice, because she wasn't happy with the first one!), when I came to babysit, and as a good friend of my Mom's. Today, I have two of her works hanging in my house, the first portrait and another etching that was a wedding gift to us in 1988. We enjoy them very much. She has a wonderful legacy. My sympathies to you. Barb (Cuyler) Marcinkoski
And when she wasn't painting commissions, she found another subject - herself!
Dawna Freeman
November 25, 2011
Christine Feniak
November 23, 2011
To the Freemans,
My very sincere sympathies to you on the passing of your Mom and Grandmother. She was a lovely, warm and giving person who brought light into the lives of those around her. I remember being deeply impressed by how easy it seemed for her to create such beauty, and what joy she found in it. Our lives are richer for knowing her.
Holly and Kristi-ann visiting Mom on Whyte Ave during Edmonton's ArtWalk in 1996.
Dawna Freeman
November 23, 2011
Ann & Ian
November 22, 2011
We were very sorry to hear about Esther's passing. We wish to extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to you Elwyn and the rest of your family.
Ray MacIsaac
November 21, 2011
My deepest sympathy to you Elwyn and your family
Patrick Freeman
November 21, 2011
Hi Dawna & Peter, I'd like to pass on our condolences on your Mom's passing.
Auntie Esther was a beautiful and very talented lady and she will be missed.
At 20, I recall sitting for your Mom. After what I thought was an eternity, she looked up and asked what I thought of the portrait... "Looks terrific, my Mom will be pleased," I said. But then she looked back and forth to the canvass and me, grabbed a cloth and quickly wiped the canvass clean. I was shocked.
In her quiet, confident way, she said, "Patrick, I've not captured your eyes, so we'll need to start all over." That was Auntie Esther, an absolute perfectionist at her gift.
My portrait hung in my parent's home for many years and now hangs in our family home.
She also gave us a beautiful landscape of Mount Edith Cavell as a wedding gift. The mountains were a very special place for her to spend time.
When Norma and I returned to Edmonton to begin having children, we bought two paintings. A young Native girl she saw while visiting a 1st Nation's Reserve and a young Filipino boy she captured in an airport. These too hang in our Victoria home.
Norma and I have fond memories of your Mother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
God Bless, Patrick & Norma Freeman
November 21, 2011
Our family has many great memories of Esther ever since my childhood in Edmonton. She provided us with some wonderful portraits which we treasure.
Her eye for capturing a face was impressive and her quiet and thoughtful smile always there for us. She made everyone's life a lot better.
Hugh, Sally, Marcus and Katy from BC
November 20, 2011
I was deeply saddened to learn of Esther's passing, and I extend my deepest sympathies to her family.
Esther and I went on a couple of painting trips together. One, in particular that I remember was our camping trip to Hazelton and Kispiox, B.C. We shared many laughs and also tried to solve all the world's problems. We had a bottle of wine, but forgot to bring wine glasses. Instead, we used an empty instant coffee jar. Anyway, it served the purpose, and we laughed over it.
Esther painted some of the totem poles in that area, and I was in awe of her execution of those subjects.
I have several photos of that trip, and of Esther at work in the Native villages.
If the family is interested in having some of them, I'd be happy to share them with you. You may contact me at [email protected].
Its hard to express my sadness, but this is overshadowed by the wonderful friendship we had, and the fond memories of a kind and gentle woman.
Mary Martens
Kelowna, B.C.
Sylvia Freeman
November 20, 2011
The year that I graduated from university I "sat" for Aunt Esther at a demonstration at Southgate Mall. When the portrait was completed a red brick school could be seen in the background--Queen Alexandra. The following year Esther presented Bernie and I with a landscape as our wedding gift. Both of these paintings hang in our home to this day. When Julie Anne was born we received a "Bunnykins" cereal bowl and mug. We are now able to share this thoughtful gift with our new grandchildren. The circle of life continues. Aunt Esther will be fondly remembered for her gentle spirit and many kindnesses to my family. My mother enjoyed a special friendship with Aunt Esther....perhaps they are together once more. God bless.
Sylvia Freeman
November 19, 2011
Tracey, Tim & Girls,
Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during these days. We are blessed to have one of your Mom's precious pieces of artwork on our wall.
Love you,
Cheryl
Susan Minsos
November 19, 2011
What a superb talent Esther had. She leaves an indelible mark on the world not only because of her remarkable paintings but also because of her extensive family. Our deepest sympathy to all of you on your loss.
Ove and Susan Minsos
November 19, 2011
Marti Obreza
November 19, 2011
Dear Freeman family: Dawna started off as neighbour, then a good friend in Toronto. She always spoke so lovingly about her mother, father, and siblings. My sympathies to all of you for your loss, may she rest in peace now.
Grandma and me on the farm.
Kristi-ann Doshewnek
November 18, 2011
Spoken From A Grandchild
Grandma so wonderful, so patient, so kind, So thoughtful and caring, other's always on her mind.
Such a gentle soul, with the sweetest of smiles,
It lit up a room and could be seen from a mile.
Grandma, a true artist, painting she knew,
Singing and playing the guitar, well she could do that too.
Crosswords and cards and trips to the farm to name a few, Were some of the other things Grandma really liked to do.
Family came first for Grandma, yes it did,
How did I get so lucky to be her Grandkid?
She supported me always, and accepted me for me,
So much fun staying with Grandma,no place else I'd rather be.
Life was Grandma's canvas, and beautifully lived did she, She's at peace now, and from her sickness she is free.
Grandma wouldn't want us to be sad, that I know she would confess, She would want us to be strong, to move forward, achieve success.
Through Grandpa and our Mother's and the stories Grandma told, And even through her art, memories in our hearts we will hold.
Thanks Grandma for so many delightful memories, and for inspiring me to write, and to create through art.
Love u always.
Kristi-ann won 1st place in a poetry contest & got a helicopter ride over the farm with Grandma, Mom (Holly), and Grade 1 teacher.
Kristi-ann Doshewnek
November 18, 2011
Trevor, Kristi-ann, and Grandma. We were bowling at Red's for Trevor's Birthday with the family.
Kristi-ann Doshewnek
November 18, 2011
November 18, 2011
Dear Freeman family: As a longtime friend of Dawna's, I always marvelled at how close her family was and how her parents were such an integral part of their lives. Every time I met Elwyn and Esther, they were so warm and welcoming to me, I felt like family myself. I always hugely admired Esther's creative talents which she was so understated but passionate about. A huge part of your family circle is now missing, but Esther bequeathed each of you a strong and enduring legacy of the importance of family, which I know you all continue to live by. Our sympathies to all of you.
Debbie Weismiller and Darcy Henton
Esther's oil painting was selected for a greeting card in celebration of the International Year of the Child.
Dawna Freeman
November 18, 2011
November 18, 2011
my dear old friend of 58 years has gone to heaven to paint the angels - Esther has left me with a legacy of compassion, understanding, love for beauty, a outstanding sense of humour ,and i could go on and on - although we haven't been in touch for a few years I think of her often - every time i look at one of the many paintings of Esthers that i have I always remember her telling me her thoughts while she was painting them - i especially remember the great times we had at seba beach - me with 3 children and esther with 5 - we were walking along an old country road one time when it started to rain - Esther said we would thumb and get a ride - well after several cars went by we realized that no one was going to pick up 2 adults and 8 children - so Esther came up with the ingenius idea that all the children and i hide in the ditch and Esther stood on the road and flagged down a old man in an equally old pick up truck - so he stopped for Esther - she gave the signal and the rest of us came running up out of the ditch and jumped in the back of the pick-up - the look on the man's face was priceless! - although i know that with her health issues these past years she is in a much better place now - but i shall always miss her. her loyal friendship and her wonderful smile - with a wink and a smile to you Esther...love Renee Davies
Dawna Freeman
November 18, 2011
The staff at the CapitalCare centre would always comment to me on Esther's bright smile and sparkling blue eyes. Mom's eyes not only lit up her face they afforded us a glimpse into her generous and gentle soul.
November 18, 2011
All the Grandchildren
November 18, 2011
November 18, 2011
Elwyn and family,
Les and I were very sad to hear of Esther's passing. We both shared many good times at the ASA meetings and other art functions. She was a great painter and will always cherish the protrait she did of me. Our prayers are with you and the family.
Les and Jacqueline Graff
November 18, 2011
Elwyn and family..
May your memories be comforting to you at this time of loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Arnold and Becky Prochnau.
Don Davies
November 17, 2011
Dear Freeman family,
Please accept our deepest condolences on the passing of Aunt Esther. I think you know how special Esther was to our family, and how much we adored and cherished her. Her gracefulness, compassion, sensitivity and quiet class were truly rare. Her creativity, talent, strength and beautiful, kind, gentle spirit enthralled and inspired us all. I was always especially moved by her sense of justice. We are all much better people for having known Esther, and we are so privileged to have had her in our lives. Please know our hearts, our prayers and our love are with Esther, and you all.
A smile to remember
Douglas Freeman
November 17, 2011
if i can remember
we become our memories
it is who we are
and how we are remembered
our life is defined by our memories
a life lived is sharing those memories
they become our definitive
we become infinite ...
i will always remember,
a life lived.
A formal valentine
Douglas Freeman
November 17, 2011
Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy
Douglas Freeman
November 17, 2011
A Chord & A Chorus
Douglas Freeman
November 17, 2011
Vancouver Teahouse - bad hair & beer
Douglas Freeman
November 17, 2011
Yes mom
Douglas Freeman
November 17, 2011
A warm summer day
Douglas Freeman
November 17, 2011
A farm shindig
Douglas Freeman
November 17, 2011
Sisters
Douglas Freeman
November 17, 2011
Christmas morning walk 2004
Douglas Freeman
November 17, 2011
Christmas Cheer 2004
Douglas Freeman
November 17, 2011
Sylvia Bisson
November 17, 2011
Dawna & Peter & Family - May the peace which comes from the memories of love shared with your mom, comfort you now and in the days ahead. Please accept my deepest condolences on your loss. With much love.
In my parents backyard in the summer of 2008.
Dawna Freeman
November 17, 2011
Mom always loved going to Holly and George's farm.
Dawna Freeman
November 17, 2011
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