Margot Strauss Freudenberg

Margot Strauss Freudenberg of Charleston, South Carolina died April 8, 2013 at the age of 105 at her residence. Mrs. Freudenberg was born in Hannover, Germany August 8, 1907. The youngest daughter of Dr. Henry and Ella Strauss, she was a survivor of the Holocaust after leaving her native Germany in 1939. Staying a brief time in England, Mrs. Freudenberg, her son and husband emigrated to Charleston.

She held South Carolina physical therapy license number five and for many years was the only physical therapist in Charleston. In addition to her professional duties, she was a tireless volunteer for community non-profits. It was through her diligence and leadership that the first American Cancer Society Hope Lodge in the United States opened in 1970 in Charleston. Hope Lodges serves as a home-away-from-home for those who travel to receive outpatient treatment for cancer along with family members or caregivers. Her portrait graces the board room at the Hope Lodge at the corner of Calhoun Street and Rutledge Avenue as the founder. With 71 years as a volunteer, she was also the longest serving volunteer in the history of the American Cancer Society. She served as the president of the Cancer Society, a board member of the state chapter and 40 years as memorial chairwoman.

Mrs. Freudenberg received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree given by the Medical University of South Carolina in 1990. She started in 1957 the Charleston interpreters list to serve foreign language speakers in Charleston. She was a life member of the MUSC Hollings Cancer Center Citizens Advisory Council and the recipient of the1984 Malcolm D. Haven Award from the Trident Community Foundation, 1963 Charleston Career Woman of the Year, the SC Honor of the Palmetto and countless other awards.

Mrs. Freudenberg came to America with just a few dollars. The Charleston community embraced the Freudenberg family providing shelter and giving them a new start. Because of the generosity of the community and this country opening her arms to Freudenberg's family, she said, I have a debt to pay America, up to my dying day, for taking us in. Mrs. Freudenberg repaid that debt many times over. She proudly became a citizen of her adopted country November 23, 1945.

Charleston Magazine named Mrs. Freudenberg as one of Charleston's most influential people for her wisdom as a civic volunteer. For her 100th birthday, the Coastal Community Foundation sponsored A Tribute to Margot S. Freudenberg at the Riviera Theater at Charleston Place. Proceeds from the event started the Margot S. Freudenberg Endowment for Hope Lodge of the Coastal Community Foundation.

A role model to her grandchildren as a career woman and community volunteer, they spent countless hours with her as children. Weekends were about riding in Mr. Wagner's horse drawn carriage around the battery, walking for miles' on Folly Beach, and rolling down the hill at Middleton Place. Her grandchildren were often featured with her in photos in the paper. They knew she belonged to her beloved city and proudly shared her. To do justly, love mercy and walk humbly before my God, that is my religion??? I live by it, breathe it and sleep by it. Living her life as a Jew, she proudly leaves as her legacy, her son, Henry H. Freudenberg and wife Maxine of Charleston; grandchildren, Lynn Plait and husband Sid of Atlanta and Nancy Cherson and husband Brad of Atlanta; Larry W. Freudenberg and wife Marsha of Charleston and five great-grandchildren, Lindsey Plait Jones (Christopher), Cara Freudenberg, Marissa Kandel (Jonathan), Jeremy Cherson and Stephen Freudenberg.

Mrs. Freudenberg was also blessed with wonderful and loyal friends - Dr. Ruth Patterson, Dr. Chris Hawk, Dr. Jim Ward (OBM) and many others. The family is so grateful to the outstanding caregivers who assisted Mrs. Freudenberg these past years and especially the past few months when her health was failing. Her caregivers were truly angels from heaven for the way they cared and loved Mrs. Freudenberg.

Her funeral services will be held at the graveside Wednesday, April 10, 2013 in Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Cemetery, Huguenin Avenue, at 2:00 p.m.

Memorials may be made to the Margot S. Freudenberg Endowment for Hope Lodge of the Coastal Community Foundation (info@ccfgives.org), 90 Mary Street, Charleston 29403 or the KKBE Rabbinic Chair Endowment Fund for Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Temple at 90 Hasell Street, Charleston, SC 29401.

Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR, INC., DOWTOWN CHAPEL.