Saundra Wilson, an educator extraordinaire in Freeport for nearly decades, died at the age of 74 on March 6 after a long battle with cancer. Her visitation, Celebration of Life program and burial occurred from March 15 to 17 as she was remembered fondly by her family, friends and the Freeport community.
Born on November 12, 1951, Saundra began her education career in 1985 as an educational director at a private school. She would later come to Freeport’s Archer Street Elementary School where she taught kindergarten through second grade. Throughout her years in the classroom until her retirement, Saundra nourished her students and built a strong foundation that helped them grow to incredible heights. Her teaching was warm, welcoming and inviting to her students.
Saundra used plenty of creativity in her teaching, most notably becoming known as the teacher who had an actual bathtub in her classroom library filled with pillows so students could get comfortable while reading books. Through innovative techniques like this, she was able to tap into a child’s desire to learn and support their cognitive development from one level to the next, year after year.
Saundra was a devoted member of the Memorial Presbyterian Church in Roosevelt, where her Celebration of Life was held on March 16. In addition to faithfully attending services, Saundra helped lead and coordinate childcare services and spiritually engaging programs for school-aged children at the church. Parents were able to enjoy their Sunday worship services knowing that their children were also learning and growing in a nurturing environment.
Additionally, Saundra was a member of the educational sorority, Phi Delta Kappa, which dedicates its efforts to community service that uplifts youth and families. She held several different responsibilities and titles within the organization and enjoyed promoting literacy development through programs like the Retired Sorors Volunteer Program and others which occurred at the Washington Rose Elementary School in Roosevelt.
Leona Fowler, the current president of the Beta Omicron chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, which serves Queens and Long Island, expressed that she and the organization will miss their sorority sister of 13 years who was also named their Soror of the Year in 2024.
“She was more than a member of our organization – she was a light within our sisterhood,” Fowler said. “Through her kindness, dedication, and unwavering commitment, she strengthened the bonds that unite us. Her presence brought warmth to our gatherings, wisdom to our conversations, and encouragement to all who had the blessing of knowing her.”
Saundra was also a member of the Black Educators Committee, a non-profit charity that seeks to close the educational and social gaps that exist in communities of color. Its current president Vashti Burke, who is all the music facilitator for Freeport Public Schools, described Burke as being truly committed to helping others beyond her work with children, mentioning her work with attending to the elderly, those who are ill or who need transportation. Burke graciously provided much of Saundra’s history for this piece memorializing her.
Saundra’s home life was also filled with love and care. She leaves behind her husband Roderick Wilson and her three sons Malcolm, Trevor and Evan Wilson. She also has three loving sisters, Shaaron Scott, Sheree Scott and Simone White, her brother Arthur Scott, and a host of cousins, friends and former students who she made an impact on.
On March 17, Saundra was buried and laid to rest at Pinelawn Memorial Park in Farmingdale. Her funeral services were done by the Hungerford and Clark Funeral Home in Freeport.
The Wilson family has established The Saundra Wilson Foundation in her honor, which aims to support students and families navigating life’s challenges. Any financial gifts will go to providing youth stability and opportunities to thrive, and nearly $4,000 had been raised at the time of publication. Donations can be given at https://gofund.me/229813a7c.
