February 15, 2022

     Merilee French Freeman, 78, an accomplished teacher and artist, died on Tuesday, February 15, 2022.  A lifelong resident of Syracuse, NY, she earned her BFA in Painting from Syracuse University and was an Adjunct Professor of Art at Onondaga Community College for over 35 years.

     Working primarily in watercolor, acrylic, and mixed media, Merilee’s art was recognized at numerous juried shows, including those at the Kirkland Gallery in Clinton, the Canastota Canal Museum, the Gibson Gallery in Potsdam, and the Lake Placid Center for the Arts.

     Dedicated to family, she documented her genealogy to 18th-century England and privately published a book chronicling the many homes her grandfather, William A. Ferris, built in the Fayetteville and Syracuse areas. She was also co-owner of Strathmore Hill Art and Antiques with her late husband of 45 years, Claude C. Freeman.

     She is survived by two sons, Corey (Adrienne) Freeman-Gallant and their two children, Grace and Evan, of Porter Corners, NY, and Jeremy (Tara) Freeman of Colton, New York; and two brothers, Bill French of St. Stephen, South Carolina and Ken French of Kearneysville, West Virginia.

     Calling hours will be Saturday, June 25 from 3 to 5pm at the Eaton-Tubbs Fayetteville Chapel, 7191 E. Genesee St., Fayetteville.