Melinda “Sue” Friedly, age 79, of Sedalia, died Friday, April 15, 2022 at Sylvia G. Thompson Residence Center.

She was born July 17, 1942 in St. Louis, MO, a daughter of the late William E. “Bill” Turk and Wilma L. Clary Turk. On June 6, 1964 at Wesley United Methodist Church in Sedalia, she married Edgar S. “Ed” Friedly, who preceded her in death on November 23, 2021.

Sue graduated from Smith-Cotton High School in 1960. She received her BS in Education in 1963 from the University of Missouri and her MS in Education, Guidance and Counseling in 1969 from Central Missouri State University. Sue served as a guest editor for MSCA, President and Executive Board member for Sedalia Toastmasters and Executive Board member for Central Missouri Guidance Association. She also served on the Advisory Board for the Pettis County Regional Counseling Center, Missouri Delegate for ASCA National Convention, Elementary Vice President for the Missouri State Guidance Association, and President of the Central Missouri Guidance Association.

Sue was a thirty-year veteran of the Sedalia Public School System. She taught grades one through three before becoming an Elementary Guidance Counselor. She also traveled nationally with Jack Canfield as his opening speaker. She advocated for children’s self-esteem through her own “Bloom Where You’re Planted” workshops and seminars.

Survivors include a daughter, Ginger R. Miller-Kitchen (Mark) of Gilliam; a son, Wm. Mitchell Friedly (Erica) of Sedalia; a brother, James Fithian (Marilyn) of Port Hueneme, CA; five grandchildren, a great-granddaughter; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, April 22, 2022 at McLaughlin Funeral Chapel with Chaplain John Church officiating. Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until service time at the funeral chapel.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, in care of McLaughlin Funeral Chapel.