Josephine Wyndham Freede

Jose Freede, 93, resident of Oklahoma City, died Thursday after a short illness. The longtime philanthropist, beloved by all who knew her for her generosity, charm and wit, was a native of Plymouth, England, United Kingdom, and became a United States Citizen in 1954.Jose received her Charter Society in Physiotherapy Degree before training at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopedic Hospital in England. It was at the hospital where she met her husband, Henry, an orthopedic surgeon. She came to the United Sates in 1950 and they married in New York City. The couple then returned to Oklahoma City. They built their home in Edgemere Heights in 1953, and Jose insisted on installing a commercial size air conditioner after enduring the heat of Oklahoma summers. She lived in that home until she passed away. Jose was proud to be a citizen of her adopted State of Oklahoma. She and her husband have donated to numerous state and local causes, including the dome on the State Capitol and the bridge in Bricktown. Because of her generosity and value of education and healthy living, she contributed to many endowed chairs, to include the Oklahoma City University Meinders School of Business and scholarships for the Kramer School of Nursing; as well as University of Oklahoma Dept. of Orthopedic Surgery, Dept. of Physical Therapy, Dept. of Nursing and Dept. of Petroleum Engineering. She was awarded an honorary PhD from both OCU and OU. Jose also established the Henry J. Freede Liver Clinic at Baptist Integris Hospital and gave to others such as Mercy Hospital and St. Anthony Hospital.In addition, Jose was very philanthropic to the arts. During the 70th anniversary of the OKC Orchestra League, Jose was honored at the Maestro's Ball for her service to the League and the Oklahoma City Philharmonic. She has also donated to the renovation of local theaters and supported various fund raisers for the arts and education.She was a patriot of the United States and took a great interest in politics. She served as the first president of Oklahoma City Republican Women's Club and founder of the Oklahoma Chapter of Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge, chartered in 1978. She was the first president of the Docent Council (1978) of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Center Museum and was a recipient of the NCWH and Annie Oakley Society Lifetime Achievement Award.Jose is preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Henry J. Freede; her father, Frank Lowe; her mother, Doreen Weeks, and stepfather, Fred Weeks; and her brother and sister-in-law, Antony and Elizabeth Lowe, of Wales.She is survived by her daughters, Margaret and Cathy; son-in-law, Dan Owens; brother-in-law, Dr. Charles Freede, and numerous nieces and nephews.Viewing will be at Smith & Kernke on 23rd Street Tuesday from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. The funeral service will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday at All Souls' Episcopal Church, with entombment to follow at Rose Hill Burial Park.Jose loved her causes and charities. Please consider a contribution to any of the aforementioned organizations that were important to her or a charity of your choice.