Georgia Ann Mackinder

Georgia Ann (Freestone) Mackinder September 1, 1940 – January 18, 2026 Georgia Ann (Freestone) Mackinder, age 85, of Hartford, Michigan, passed away January 18, 2026. Georgia Ann was born in Bangor, Michigan on September 1, 1940. She was raised by her loving parents, Flora and Harold Freestone, with her brother and lifelong friend, Donald Freestone. Ann met the love of her life, Douglas Mackinder, when she was just 12 and he was 14. They were together for 68 years until his passing in 2020. From a very young age, Georgia Ann was extremely creative. She was always a maker and collector of beautiful things. She took up piano and sewing in her childhood home. She started piano lessons at the age of 4 and was the church pianist/organist at the First Congregational Church in Bangor for over 75 years. These and other artistic passions developed into a Bachelor of Art degree, with a focus on Education, graduating from the University of Michigan in 1962. Georgia Ann began her teaching career in Marshall, Michigan before moving to High School Senior English at Hartford Public Schools. Later she started and ran QUEST – a Gifted and Talented program in the Elementary and Middle School and taught K-5 Art for 20+ years, retiring in 2000. While Georgia Ann educated and impacted thousands of young people throughout her career, she was passionate about her own lifelong learning. She was a truly curious soul. She was an avid reader, herbalist, gardener, cook, pianist/organist, artist/painter/sculptor, and animal lover (she raised chickens and roosters along with 8 Shelties). She shared her peaceful home, expansive gardens, walking trails and special treasures with her family and friends. Georgia Ann always surrounded herself with the people she loved (many were life-long friends for 60+ years). Georgia Ann is survived by her daughters, Heather Valenziano and Rebecca (Brian) Wells, granddaughter Francesca Valenziano, and grandsons, Jack Valenziano and Aiden Wells, her nieces Jennifer (Freestone) Hescott, Jeanine (Freestone) Jacobcic, Tonda (Mackinder) Dimond, and Tammy (Mackinder) Ridenour. Georgia Ann lived her life to the fullest and it ended on her terms – in her beautiful home – surrounded by her artwork, collections, family, friends and spiritual end-of-life doula, Miriam. According to her wishes, cremation has taken place and a private burial will occur at a later date. In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family requests that all donations go toward starting an artist in residency program that will occur in Georgia Ann’s home on an annual basis; allowing her spirit and love of learning to continue on for years to come. More information can be obtained by emailing Rebecca at rwells7373@gmail.com or call/text 312.543.0133. Also, if you have stories or memories to share of Georgia Ann, please send them to Rebecca. Arrangements entrusted to the Bangor Chapel, D.L. Miller Funeral Home, www.dlmillerfuneralhome.com.

Georgia Ann Mackinder

September 1, 1940 - January 18, 2026