By Kathleen Spring
Just a few years ago, Janet Freeman was planning activities at retirement and nursing homes, and today she is partaking in activities as a member of the Lyons Golden Gang. Whenever Janet enters a room, she fills it with a smile and laughter, and is always willing to give a helping hand. The September Senior Spotlight is on Janet Tansley Freeman.The mutual desire to help others is what drew Janet and Bob, her husband of 48 years, together. One of the things that Bob did that Janet is most proud of took place in their home state of Illinois. He was a poverty lawyer, and he won the right for people in poverty to use the public beaches.
The two had graduated from high school together, but did not become friends until they were 20 years old. They married in 1959. One of the best times in their lives was when they traveled across the United States, visiting a variety of Christian communes. It brought them to Colorado twice. However, they were called home because a succession of elderly relatives failing health needed their attention. It would not be until 1988 that their family responsibilities eased up, including their son Douglas growing up and moving away. They were able to move to the mountains of Colorado that they loved so much.
“My family, including my grandparents, had visited Colorado in their Model T Ford. I’ve seen the photos,” said Janet of the family’s long-time love of the state.
Janet was born in Des Plaines, Illinois along with two younger brothers. She went to the Maine Township School, which was attended by students from several towns. Her parents and her son went to the same school. She attended college over the years, while working for an insurance company, an innovative book store, and as a housewife and mother. She got a B.A. in English, but was attracted to jobs that planned activities for seniors. In Colorado, she was an activities director at Fraser Meadows.
“People were so nice, and I learned a great deal from my fellow employees, like professors and people who had traveled,” said Janet. She belonged to national and state activities associations.
In 1989, Lyons was looking to fill a relatively new position of Town Administrator. With Bob’s political and legal experience, he was a good fit for the growing town. Janet felt some of his best work was in developing the parks system with LaVern Johnson, not allowing any “ugly developments,” and saying no to making Lyons one of the three gambling towns in Colorado. They rented a Lyons home for nine months, and it turned into nine years.
When Janet retired in 2001, she joined the Golden Gang and planned activities and exercise programs. She became a board member for seven years. While she says that she is just a member now, she still helps with making crafts, planning speakers, and helping with fundraisers. She also has worked for the town’s tourist office and the history museum. Janet and Bob were active members of the Lyons Methodist Community Church. They moved into the Walt Self Senior Center housing. Bob passed away in early 2008. Janet has developed many close friendships at the senior center.
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