Elizabeth Beilman Freeman, mental health professional

Freeman

Elizabeth Beilman Freeman, 87, of Amherst, died on Wednesday, Dec. 12 in Knoxville, Tenn.

Born in Buffalo, Mrs. Freeman graduated from Bennett High School and studied fine arts at Syracuse University.

She worked in the banking and securities industry and owned and operated a sewing and knitting shop in Kalamazoo, Mich.

She then worked in the mental health field with disabled adults, retiring in 1982 as executive director of the Restoration Society in Buffalo.

She was a member or officer of the Affiliation of Voluntary Charitable Mental Health Organizations of Specialized Services of Buffalo and Erie County, the board of directors of the Mental Health Association of Erie County, Council of Exceptional Children, Forensic Cluster of Erie County Forensic Mental Health Services, People Inc., New York State Association for Human Services and The Blue Rose Foundation.

After retiring, she chaired the board of directors for the Meals on Wheels program, was a member of the Amherst League of Women Voters, and served as a representative to the New York State Legislature for AARP, helping establish three-county training for the Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program for AARP. She was also an election inspector for Amherst, a member of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, the Amherst Senior Center advisory committee and the Amherst Town Government Study Committee.

Mrs. Freeman was a founding and longstanding member of the Amherst Republican Women, which recently named her "Woman of the Year." She served the board of directors as treasurer and committee woman for the Amherst Republican Party. In July, she was honored with a certificate of appreciation for many years of service to the Amherst Republican Committee. She enjoyed cooking and many other domestic arts.

Mrs. Freeman was predeceased by her husband, John David, in 1972. She is survived by one son, David Blake, of Fort Myers, Fla.; two daughters, Constance F. Martin, of Ogdensburg, N.Y., and Dr. Elisbeth M., of Knoxville, Tenn.; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held in Amherst in the spring.