Phyllis Lynn Freeman

Phyllis Cummings Freeman passed into peace on June 23, 2025, surrounded by her family.
Phyllis was born on July 9, 1947, in Denver, CO, to Gerald and Twila (Turner) Cummings.

She graduated from Arvada high school in 1965 and then moved for Fort Collins to attend Colorado State University. She lived the remainder of her life in Fort Collins. After graduating with a degree in Sociology, Phyllis began a life-long career in social services assisting children and adults with intellectual disabilities. She retired after 43 years, in April 2011, from Foothills Gateway.

Phyllis married Bruce Freeman in 1971, and they raised their family in Fort Collins. As a mom, Phyllis was active as a Girl Scout leader for over a decade, and member of the RMHS Parents Athletic Club. She was a steadfast presence at every game, match, recital, and performance—always available as a sounding board, offering unwavering encouragement to nurture strong, independent daughters.

Phyllis was an avid reader and longtime book club member who looked forward to social time with friends. Bunco was another long-standing social event. She was an amateur seamstress and stitched many of the clothes her kids wore as children as well as baby clothes and blankets for friends. Her true handiwork passion was cross-stitch, and she created many holiday pieces. She loved going to the mountains, watching the river run, looking for birds, and seeing the aspen change color. She enjoyed gardening with both vegetables and flower gardens.

Later in life, Phyllis especially loved to travel. Pre-covid she made annual trips to the Pacific Northwest to visit family and explore the Washington and Oregon coast to beachcomb. Big travels included trips to New England, Costa Rica, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Bruce passing in 1998, her parents and brother, Russell Wayne Cummings.

Phyllis is survived by two daughters: Brenda Hamilton (Roger) of Vancouver, Washington; Janell Watkins (Drew) also of Fort Collins. The great joys of her life were her four grandchildren: Logan Cannon (Matthew), Carson Hamilton, Zachary Watkins, and Mason Watkins. She is also survived by long-time partner Jim Patakotis.

A celebration of her life will be held at Bohlender Funeral Chapel on July 18 at 1 p.m. Celebration of life reception to follow at The Agave Room.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the National Audubon Society (honoring her love for birds) or the American Heart Association.