Raechelle Freeman—remembered locally as Shelley Dinan, a career speech pathologist and special education teacher for New Canaan Public Schools—died peacefully Sunday at Stamford Hospital, family by her side, following a courageous two-and-a-half year battle with myelofibrosis.
Shelley grew up in Belmar, N.J. ca. 1947.
She was 80.
Born Raechelle Sandra Ashbaugh on Nov. 15, 1943 in Neptune, N.J., she was the daughter of Ivan and Bernice Blum Ashbaugh.
Energetic, smart, irreverent and fun, she grew up on the Jersey Shore in Belmar with her little sister, Karen, graduating from Manasquan High School.
Through her education and professional work, Shelley soon began migrating north toward New Canaan.
Shelley (L) and sister Karen (R) with newborn Terry Dinan, 1973.
She earned a bachelor’s degree from Montclair State College and master’s from Columbia University, both in speech pathology.
From 1966 to 1969, Shelley was responsible for delivery of speech services to children and adults in Bergen County, N.J. while on staff at the Mount Carmel Guild Diagnostic Center in Newark. During that time, she also lectured master’s degree candidates at Seton Hall University on diagnostic procedures in speech pathology and supervised practicum at the university clinic.
In 1969, she was hired by the state of New York to develop a model program in speech and language services for developmentally disabled residents at six state facilities.
Shelley with baby Michael Dinan at the family’s Seminary Street home in New Canaan, fall of 1975.
Newly married to Tim Dinan, husband of 22 years, she came to New Canaan during the 1969-70 academic year to provide speech services for Center and East Schools. She also was instrumental in developing a pre-kindergarten Language-Speech Program, providing therapy to preschoolers until 1973, when increased enrollment prompted the Board of Education to create a position specifically for that program. She also designed and implemented the district’s English as a Second Language program, later run by a close friend, the late Ruth Magill.
Shelley Dinan with daughter Rachel in the Center School Resource Center, 1980. Syd Greenberg photo
She earned a certificate of clinical competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and in 1982 took a second master’s degree, in learning disabilities, from Fairfield University. In addition to her district work, Shelley established a private practice in town, working with children requiring academic support and speech therapy.
Her work with kids was a source of boundless joy. She loved her field and never tired of speech pathology. Following her 2005 retirement and relocation to the South, she briefly worked with stroke patients, contracting with nursing homes, but quickly returned to kids—at one point driving two hours each way between South Carolina and Georgia to provide speech services at an elementary school.
Shelley in New York City, 1973.
She and Tim had three kids in the 1970s—Terry, Michael and Rachel, all born at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City.
Shelley was a themed party-thrower with a wonderful sense of occasion, a swim parent and Cub Scout Pack 70 public service coordinator and den mom. She created magical Christmases for her young children, and schlepped them around strategically each Halloween—no New Canaan kids scored more candy as Trick-or-Treaters. She loved cooking, movies, music, mah-jongg, dogs, ballroom dancing, travel, bridge and social clubs. She loved licorice, Junior Mints and Sabrettes hot dogs from New York City street vendors. She drew Snoopy on greeting cards and gave loved ones two cards for birthdays, one funny and one sappy. She loved underdogs. She believed in equality and stood by her principles. She joined local chapters of the League of Women Voters and American Association of University Women wherever she moved, founding them if they weren’t there already.
Shelley and Ray Freeman
She survived breast cancer twice. Shelley faced adversity with courage. After her second mastectomy, she opted for reconstructive surgery, telling friends she didn’t know “whether to be Audrey Hepburn or Dolly Parton.”
In 2004, Shelley married Ray Freeman, an easygoing and patient man, and the pair shared many adventures together, tandem-cycling across the southwest, dog sledding up north and getting tattoos (‘Dog Is Love’ with a bearded collie head).
The family is grateful to Dr. Tammana Haque and her wonderful team at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, including Julie, Shelley’s first patient concierge and Bernadette the nurse practitioner. We also are grateful to Victoria the nurse at Stamford Hospital and the team at Constellation hospice care for their gentle bedside manner. We thank Kathy Mitchell, her fellow NCPS retiree for her close friendship and support.
Shelley at home on Lakeview Avenue at Christmastime, ca. 1988.
In addition to her husband Ray Freeman of Stamford, she is survived by sister Karen Britton (Doug) of Washington, N.C., children Terry Dinan (Andrea) of New Canaan, Michael Dinan (Marie) of Stamford and Rachel Moniz Benyamini (Kerem) of Weston, stepson Tony Freeman (Jaquelyn) of Arcadia, Fla., as well as grandchildren Gillian, Baylor, Ava, Cooper, Mats, Olivia, Mason, Madyson and Dillon, cousins, nieces and nephews.
She also is survived by two dogs, RayBan and Duncan. Shelley was predeceased by two cats—Joe and Claudia—and nine dogs: Soccer, Stanley, Fred, Max, Ralph, Murray, Maurice, Henry and Arnold.
Visitation hours with family will be held 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 1 at Cognetta Funeral Home, 104 Myrtle Ave. in Stamford (Hoyt is under renovation).
Mike, thank you for a giving us a small glimpse into the life of the your wonderful mother, —a professional and dedicated speech pathologist, long time teacher, animal lover. What a beautiful tribute to a truly beautiful person. My condolences to your family on your profound loss.
Mike, we are so very sorry for your family’s loss. All of our thoughts and sympathies are with you all.
Dear Mike, Terry and Rachel….so very sorry to read this. We are sharing your sadness as you remember your mom. She will hold a very special place in your hearts forever.
Mike, I am so sorry for your loss. Shelley was a remarkably accomplished professional and a fiercely proud and loving mother. Getting to know her just a bit was a privilege — she was lovely, warm & very engaging. I will miss seeing your mom at the chamber music concerts where she absolutely lit up when we talked about you! Sending lots of love.
What a beautiful tribute to your mom. Thank you for sharing her amazing life with us.
I am so very sorry for your loss, Mike.
Mike, we are sorry for your loss. What a beautiful tribute to your mother.
Mike, Marie and family, I’m so very sorry for the loss of your Mother. She lived an amazing life and her love of children and dogs is truly inspiring. Sending you all love and prayers.
Mike, dear devoted son, your mother was so proud of you.
Mike my condolences to you and your family. Your mother was quite interesting and so are her offspring.
So sorry for your loss. What a beautiful tribute to your mother.
Mike, my sincere condolences to you and your family. She sounds like an amazing human. I wish you all peace and comfort from such lovely memories. Take care.
Mike, I am so sorry for your loss. I love this tribute to your mother. It honors her and all the amazing things she accomplished and enjoyed. There is no doubt that countless children’s lives were made better because she was a part of them.
Mike,
My sincerest condolences to your family. Although I did not know your mother, I feel that I do now through this beautifully written tribute to her. She sounds like she was an incredibly special person. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Ann Brookshire
A life well served, lived and loved. Sincere condolences to the whole family, KAC
What a beautiful tribute, Mike. Your mom seemed like an extraordinary person.
I’m very sorry for your loss and am sending love and prayers your way.
Mike,
I offer my sincere condolences to you and your family. Raechelle Freeman lived a very special life, and was beloved by her relatives and the people of New Canaan. Additionally, she was blessed that her son is a skilled writer and could put her life down in words, so well.
Best Wishes during this difficult time.
Jordan
Beautiful tribute. She was a wonderful person and teacher!!
I’m so sorry to hear this. What a beautiful tribute to a remarkable woman.
Mike: What a wonderful person and contributor.
Dear Mike,
What a lovely tribute to your mother! She was clearly an accomplished and inspiring influence on you.
Deepest condolences,
Betsy Bilus
What a wonderful tribute to your Mon, Mike. It sounds like she was a very special person. Losing a parent is really hard, and I wish you and your family all the best.
Mike – so sorry to hear about your mom but really enjoyed learning more about her life from someone who clearly loved her deeply.
So sorry for your loss, Mike, and such a nice tribute to a special woman. Keeping you and your family in my thoughts.
The smile on baby Michael’s face says it all. That’s what love looks like, my friend. You’ll never be without it.
My sincere condolences to you & your families at the loss of your mother.
I knew Shelley when I worked at NCHS and remember her as a vibrant, smart, energetic professional. She was lovely with a sparkle in her eyes open to connect with others.
May her name be a blessing.
Evelyn Kurtzberg
Retired School Psychologist
Sorry for your loss of such a kind and caring woman. But honestly who names a dog—Arnold ?
Well she was an avid reader of the New Canaanite lol
Honestly idk how she came up with her later dogs’ names, but I have found myself also with male dogs with human names (Wilbur, Russell, Louis, Marvin, Dexter, Wallace and Norman).
Hey, Russell was one of her beloved dogs, you’re in great company Arnold…LOL.
All kidding aside, what a great tribute Michael! Her legacy helping others will live on. Our sincere and heartfelt condolences to you and your family.
Mike, Terry, Rachel, and family – thoughts and prayers for each of you as you celebrate your mom’s wonderful life. Thanks for sharing such a personal, touching story of her life and legacy. All my best, Leo
So sorry for your loss, Mike. You mother sounds like a wonderful woman and even better mom. My thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
So sorry to hear about your Mom’s passing. What a wonderful glimpse into an extraordinary life.
Be at peace.
Beautifully written obituary! Sending hugs and love to you, Terry, and Rachel! I hope your loving memories with you mom give you all comfort!
Mike: Sorry for your loss….wonderful memories and love in your heart….will help
Dear Mike,
I am so very sorry for the loss of your mom. Her memory will live on in you and all those who loved her. May she rest in peace.
With deepest condolences,
Teresa
You wrote a lovely tribute and obituary for your mom and I was glad to know her a bit from it. Very sorry, Mike. My condolences.
So sorry for your loss Mike, my most sincere condolences to you and your family. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful tribute.
Dear Mike,
Our heartfelt condolences on the loss of your Mom. We loved reading your beautiful tribute!
Maryjane and Paul Markey
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the Dinan family. Beautifully written tribute for an amazing woman.
RIP. 🙏
Dear Mike and your family,
Beautiful tribute – you write so well. Your mom sounds like she lived on her own terms and fully. Thank you for sharing about that with us. Deepest condolences. May those memories rise to the top and bring comfort. All my best, francesca
Mike, Your Mom left an indelible legacy at Center School where my wife Hazel, another Jersey girl, worked with her and respected her as a high-end outlier in her field. We as a family not only admired her, but were the beneficiaries of her remarkable work. Her impact on a large number of students from the many areas where she worked was really important in their future lives. She lived a wonderful life and left a beautiful legacy.
Mike Hobbs
Mike that is a beautiful tribute. I remember your mother from Center School and her office tucked away by the library there. My mother always said that she was way ahead of her time in the field of speech pathology and special education. She was using techniques that were cutting edge in the 1970s and have become the standard today. It was fortunate for her and her students that she worked in a school that was progressive enough to give her the flexibility to teach her students in a manner that she thought would benefit them most. I can only imagine how many lives she touched as an educator. She was one of the many faculty who made Center School such a special place.
Mike – I am very sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
What an amazing tribute!
I did not know you or Terry, but I was friends with Rachel. She was one of my first friends when I moved to NC. Shelley was my special Ed reading teacher from 2nd-5th grades. She always had a wonderful way with words and how to explain everything to the class and me.
I am so sorry for your family’s loss. She will be missed greatly!
Mike,
I am so sorry for the loss of you Mom, who clearly was such a wonderful and most important part of who you are today. You will always keep her and her spirit with you. My greatest sympathy is with you now.
Thanks Mike for this heartfelt tribute about your mom!!! I had her as a speech teacher in East School. Her kindness and compassion helped me a lot!!! She is truly missed!!!
Sending my deepest condolences to Shelley’s loved ones. After knowing Shelley as “Mrs. Dinan,” when I attended East as a child, I had the great honor of teaching and laughing with Shelley when I returned as a newly certified special education teacher. She taught me a great deal and kept me smiling. Shelley was a force of nature-an expert at her craft and adept at the art of gentle persuasion, whether it be her youngest student or most seasoned colleague. She was beloved.
Mike,
My sincerest condolences to you and the entire family on the passing of your Mom. What a lovely tribute that honors her work and her joys. Truly a life well lived, albeit too short. She surely makes this fellow Jersey Girl proud.
Best,
Frances C. Wilson
Mike, you have lost a wonderful mother, a highly accomplished professional and a warm and giving person. We are sad for you and your family.
Warmly
Linda and Michael Avgerinos
Beautiful writing on a beautiful life. Rest in peace, Raechelle Freeman. Sorry for your loss, Mike. You were a good son.
Michael, Marie & family,
Our thoughts & prayers are with you & your family at this very sad & difficult time on the loss of your beautiful Mother Shelley.
What an absolutely lovely tribute to your Mother. What an amazing lady & what a life she had, all she did & achieved while also being a wonderful Mother. So sorry for your loss.
Rest in peace Shelley
Our deepest condolences to you, Mike and your family. It was a pleasure to read this lovely tribute to your mother. She was a piece of the fabric of our town.
Chris and Vicki Le Bris
So sorry for the loss of your mom. Sending hugs to you, your family, and those who knew and loved her. After reading this, I wish I was among them. My thoughts are with you as you go through your journey of loss.