Deborah Flo Freeman passed away peacefully on March 11, 2025, in Eureka, succumbing to Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.

Flo was born Deborah Lee Speake at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. She grew up the eldest of five on the Northside of Indianapolis, where she attended School 70 and graduated from North Central High. After graduation, she hitchhiked to California with her dog Gracie, having many adventures along the way. There, she fell in love with the Pacific Northwest and came to call it home. She was part of the D Street commune in San Francisco and then moved to Humboldt County. She also fell in love and married Michael Freeman, giving birth to daughter Amanda two years later while they lived on Elk River.

Flo built a reputation as a hard-working and talented chef at several successful venues in California and Indiana, including Bergie’s in the Jacoby Storehouse in Arcata, and The Provincial Kitchen, Café Patachou, and Cath, Inc., in Indianapolis. She was the Executive Chef at Deer Creek Music Center for several years, where she loved cooking for the hundreds of music stars and their crews brought to town by Sunshine Promotions.

She returned to Humboldt County in 2005 and again in 2019 for the last time. It was her heart’s home and walking with her friends and dogs in its beautiful places filled many a happy day. As her abilities lessened these past few years she enjoyed time on the Madaket cruising Humboldt Bay and heading to Trinidad Pier to relish the ocean.

Laughter flowed freely when talking with Flo. Cooking delicious meals for those she gathered was her natural state. Music around a campfire was another favorite, during which she would sing harmonies with her pretty voice. She remembered what made people happy and was always giving little gifts to those in her orbit. She loved the earth and continued to study it her whole life, completing the Master Gardener program in 2017, and serving as a docent for Friends of the Dunes and the River Center on the San Joaquin River beginning in her 60s.

Flo was a creative and positive force in the lives of all who knew her. Flo is still, and will always be, a beloved Mother, Sister, and Friend to those who survive her. She counted herself lucky to have friendships spanning six decades and close siblings. She is survived by daughter Amanda, as well as siblings Vicky Miller, Farroll “Chip” Speake, and Matthew Speake, and several nieces and nephew. She is preceded in death by her parents Farroll “Bud” Speake and Velma Lee Luse (Moon), and her brother Mark Speake.

A memorial party will be held at the River Lodge at 5pm on June 14. Contact Amanda if you would like to make one of Flo’s recipes to bring to the feast. Donations to Hospice of Humboldt and CurePSP.org are welcome in lieu of flowers. The family sends heartfelt thanks to her caregivers and friends for their invaluable assistance over the years.