Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Longtime principal remembered at memorial
Sarah Aho offers the eulogy at a memorial service for Jill Freeze in the Davenport Middle School gym Saturday, April 22.
Jill Freeze is memorialized in a picture framed with spring wildflowers, riding boots and rope.
Music teacher Rob Harper sings 'Amazing Grace' in Freeze's remembrance at a memorial service Saturday, April 22.
DAVENPORT - Hundreds of friends, family, colleagues and community members poured into the Middle School gym to remember longtime principal and teacher Jill Freeze in a public memorial service Saturday, April 22.
Freeze died at age 61 from complications of myelofibrosis, a form of bone-marrow cancer, Friday, April 7.
Best friend Sarah Aho offered the eulogy, noting Freeze's love of horse-riding and her roots in the Methow Valley.
"She believed in the goodness of people. She believed in laughter," Aho said. "She believed that if it wasn't kind, it wasn't necessary."
Few dry eyes were in the house as Aho's eulogy was followed by a 16-minute slideshow showing photos from Freeze's life. A video message from Freeze proceeded and succeeded the pictures.
Pastor Steve McLachlan gave a brief sermon, followed by a rendition of 'Amazing Grace' by music teacher Rob Harper.
Superintendent Chad Prewitt spoke on behalf of himself and former superintendent Jim Kowalkowski.
"She often sacrificed so students who were in need were taken care of," Prewitt said on Kowalkowski's behalf, noting that Kowalkowski remembered Freeze's pride over a successful 2011 bond that allowed a remodeled elementary school to be built here.
Prewitt then spoke for himself, saying that he believed Freeze "never worked a day in her life..." not because of a poor work ethic, but the opposite: because of her love and passion for teaching and assisting students.
He said her legacy lives on through her son, Trenton Briney, whom Prewitt commended for arriving at the school district during his bereavement period to help ensure the safety of students during a bomb threat Wednesday, April 12.
"If you can do anything, be kind," Prewitt said. "But do it the Jill Freeze way."
Several of Freeze's friends also offered their sentiments.
"You should be proud of the life you lived," Sarah Sweetser said to her departed friend.
Briney spoke about Freeze's life from the perspective of a son, from growing up with her as a single mom, to her meeting and marrying longtime husband Frosty Freeze and eventually working together at the elementary school before Jill Freeze retired last year.
"We're thankful for the community that's reached out to help us and the school district for allowing my family to be a part of it, and our group of friends that's surrounded us," Briney later told The Record-Times.
Per Freeze's request, Aho offered her final sentiments Saturday:
"If you can be anything, be kind. Happy Trails, until we meet again."
Drew Lawson is the editor of the Davenport Times. He is a graduate of Eastern Washington University.
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