Obituary: Henrietta W. Freedman, former trustee, 95

Henrietta W. Freedman, a former member of the Washington University in St. Louis Board of Trustees and a founder of the university’s Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI), died in her sleep, surrounded by family, at her St. Louis home Thursday, Jan. 4, 2018. She was 95.

Freedman at LLI event
Henrietta Freedman (center) joins Chancellor Mark Wrighton (immediate left) and others at a ribbon cutting for the Lifelong Learning Institute building in September 2011. (Photo: Mary Butkus/Washington University)

Freedman helped found in 1995 the LLI, a community outreach education program for people 55 and older that offers a variety of noncredit academic courses. LLI courses emphasize peer learning and active class participation.

Freedman was a member of the university’s Board of Trustees from 1983-85 and 1988-1991. In addition, she founded the Arts & Sciences Scholarship Program and served on the Arts & Sciences National Council and the Harvey A. Friedman Center for Aging advisory board.

Beyond her university service, Freedman was a former president of the Jewish Community Relations Council of St. Louis and the Jewish Federation Women’s Division and helped establish the St. Louis Holocaust Museum.

Freedman began her education at Harris-Stowe Teachers College in the 1940s but left school when she married. She returned to college later in life, earning a bachelor’s in psychology from Arts & Sciences in 1975. She remained a strong supporter of the university and received a Distinguished Alumni Award from Arts & Sciences in 2005.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Rudolph Freedman. She is survived by her three children, Robert (Sari) Freedman, Judith Freedman (John Lawrence), and Richard Freedman (Ronda Moss); six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

A memorial service was held Jan. 10. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Louis Holocaust Museum, the St. Louis Council of Jewish Women or a charity of one’s choice.

Read the family obituary on Legacy.com.

Leave a Comment

Comments and respectful dialogue are encouraged, but content will be moderated. Please, no personal attacks, obscenity or profanity, selling of commercial products, or endorsements of political candidates or positions. We reserve the right to remove any inappropriate comments. We also cannot address individual medical concerns or provide medical advice in this forum.