- Date Of Birth: February 25, 1947
- Date Of Death: March 27, 2020
- State: Florida
Daneri Freeman Gay, age 73, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, March 27, 2020.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Ben, of 52 years; her sons Michael & Ryan; granddaughters Hunter & Rylie. She is preceded in death by wonderful family, parents Walter & Joyce Freeman, & her younger brother Tom.
Daneri was born on February 25, 1947, in Bartow, Florida & grew up mostly in Atlantic Beach near Jacksonville where she attended DU Fletcher High School. She attended Auburn University where she joined the Kappa Delta Sorority and met the love of her life, Benjamin. After marrying in 1967, they moved to Seattle when Ben took a job with Boeing. She finished her teaching degree at the University of Washington, before giving birth to two sons. They made many wonderful, lifelong friends in Seattle before Ben’s career took them to Miami with Eastern Airlines, where they have lived for the past 36 years.
Daneri had several nicknames through the years and answered to any or all of them: “Dani” given by her Dad in the early years, “Crunch” given by Ben in the college years, and possibly her favorite, “GG” given by her granddaughters. She officially became GG over 21 years ago when Hunter and Rylie were born 3 weeks apart.
She was also a second mom to all of Michael and Ryan’s friends and eventually girlfriends. Countless times friends came to the house and would be in the kitchen talking to Daneri and sharing secrets they wouldn’t even tell their own parents.
Daneri also had the privilege of having an extended family of students who she taught over her 40+ year career as an educator, & then 9 years in retirement of volunteering at Deering Estate and Nature Postings. She truly has thousands of extra “children” who were impacted by her in their youth. She taught them that being a “nerd” was cool, & they continue to spread her legacy of kindness & intellect.
