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Dorothy Ellen (Gish)
Freeland
Apr 30, 1918 - Aug 25, 2016
Posted by Janet Laubhan Flickinger
http://www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com/
Dorothy Gish Freeland was born April 30, 1918 to parents
Mary Ellen and David Wood Gish in Frederick, Oklahoma. She
passed peacefully from this world after 98 beautiful years
on August 25, 2016.
Dorothy experienced a unique childhood with two working
parents. The family owned the Gish Funeral Home as well as
a furniture store and a farm. They were able to survive the
Great Depression and the days of the Dust Bowl because of
these businesses. Dorothy would proudly share that it was
her mother who encouraged her father to press on through
those challenging years, convinced they could persevere.
Because of a willingness to barter with their community,
accepting livestock, produce or services as payment whenever
possible, they were able to survive that difficult time.
Dorothy attended the University of Oklahoma, graduating in
1940 with a degree in Elementary Education. However, she
would never use that degree to teach. Instead she had to
return to Frederick to help her mother run the funeral home
and furniture store following her father’s untimely
passing. She remained there until her dear husband-to-be
returned from service in WWII in 1945. William Hillyer
Freeland and Dorothy were married February 3, 1946. They
made their home in Norman, Oklahoma where Hillyer worked as
the Director of the Oklahoma Memorial Union for the
remainder of his career. During that time they had two
children, Judith (Judy) Diane and William Hillyer Jr.
Dorothy served two years as president of the Alpha Chi Omega
sorority while attending OU and remained active in alumni
activities her entire life, with service on the House
Corporation and as the District Alumna Chairman. In
addition to these Alpha Chi activities, she enjoyed
membership in many different clubs and civic groups
including the Norman Regional Hospital Auxiliary, PEO,
University Women’s Club, sewing, book and garden clubs. She
was also a long time member of McFarlin Memorial United
Methodist Church. In their retirement, Hillyer and Dorothy
enjoyed many international trips as well as summers in
Colorado. They particularly enjoyed time with their
grandchildren. They never missed a ball game or concert and
hosted every holiday dinner to bring the family together.
Dorothy could be quoted many times with how much she loved
and appreciated her family. She was so dearly loved by them
as well.
Dorothy is preceded in death by her husband of 60 years
Hillyer, her brother David, her parents and her son-in-law
Lawrence Agent.
She is survived by her daughter Judy Agent
and her three children Megan Curry (Jay), Kristin Meier
(Scott), and William Agent (Marcie), as well as their
children, Lillie and Steven Curry, Laurel Kate Meier, and L.J. and Wesley Agent. She is also survived by her son and
daughter-in-law Bill and Libby Freeland and their daughters
Ellen Queen (Mike) and Emy Freeland, all of Arkansas.
Services will be held at McFarlin Memorial UMC at 2pm Monday
August 29, 2016.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for
donations to be made to McFarlin Memorial UMC for student
ministries missions or the church ministry of your choice.
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