Joan Freehling Obituary

Freehling, Joan Steif Joan Steif Freehling, 84, civic leader, patron of the arts and writer passed away April 16, 2011 at her Highland Park home, which she and her husband, Stanley M. Freehling, built and lived in for 58 years. Mrs. Freehling was born in Chicago on December 10, 1926 to Ruth and B. Leo Steif. Raised in Glencoe, she was a graduate of New Trier Township High School and attended Scripps College in Claremont, California. She and Stanley met while she was still in college. "Helen Regenstein hosted a party at Northmoor Country Club for young people after World War II," Stanley Freehling said. I had just come back from the South Pacific. I saw Joan there and I admired what I saw." They were married January 26, 1947 and left immediately for Sweden, where Stanley was enrolled at the University of Stockholm. This posting allowed more time for exploring many areas of Europe and was the beginning of a love of travel and adventure that was to last for 65 years. As a young bride, Mrs. Freehling shared her husband's commitment to civic and philanthropic causes and became active in many of the non-profit organizations with which he was affiliated. She served on the women's boards of the Goodman Theater, Art Institute of Chicago, The University of Chicago and Northwestern University. She was also board member of the the Cradle and the Rehabilitation Institute. As a civic leader, Mrs. Freehling shunned the spotlight, preferring to work behind the scenes. She brought to each of her tasks thorough and detailed planning and had the ability to inspire her colleagues. As one long-time friend said, her involvement with a project at any level virtually granted success. Mrs. Freehling was a Life Trustee of the Ravinia Festival. Over four decades, she was active in virtually every major innovation and project. Her role as editor of the Ravinia Women's Board cookbook, Noteworthy, was possibly the activity that gave her the deepest satisfaction. During the four years from inception to publication, her skills as a writer, organizer, leader and designer became increasingly evident and were essential to the book's ultimate success. Her writing skills were legendary. "The words just came out of her pen," her husband said. She called her cookbook team "The Original Spice Girls" and wrote them entertaining letters, chronicling the culinary adventures of Rosemary, Basil and Clemen-thyme. "Noteworthy" became a classic in the cookbook industry with five editions and sales of well over 100,000 copies which resulted in a Women's Board gift to Ravinia of $1,000,000. The cookbook was known to those who worked with her as the "Millennium Miracle". Beloved wife of Stanley M. Freehling; loving mother of Maggie (Scott) Phillips, Debbie (Joe) Weidner and Robert; cherished grandmother of Sam, Max, Ben, Rosalind and Daniel; and fond sister of Bill Steif. Graveside service and interment private. A memorial service will be held at the Ravinia Festival at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be sent to the Ravinia Women's Board, 418 Sheridan Rd., Highland Park, IL 60035. For info please call Kelley & Spalding Funeral Home at (847) 831-4260 or www.kelleyspaldingfuneralhome.com