Betty Knobler Freedman

After a long, blessed and happy life, Betty Freedman passed away peacefully in the early hours of Friday, October 24, 2025, surrounded by her loving family and equally loving caregivers. A native Houstonian, like so many back then, Betty attended San Jacinto High School and the University of Texas – but not for long because, as fate would have it, she was asked to be a 4th at a bridge game where she met Milton. Just a few months later, they were married and playing bridge together for the next 61 years until his death in 2008. After giving birth to 4 kids in less than 5 years, Betty started working in the family meat business with Milton, keeping the books and evolving into a top-notch credit manager who could charm anybody into paying their debt. When the business grew to include selling to restaurants, they dined at so many of them that she was the “go-to” gal for suggestions of where to eat. You couldn’t plan on a last-minute dinner date with Betty because she was usually booked out 2 weeks in advance. As much as Betty and Milton loved to travel and saw so much of the world, bridge played a huge part of their lives. Betty became a life master in her 20s, later became a Gold Life Master, and was the most desired partner on the Houston bridge circuit up into her early 90s. Betty was the ultimate mom and grandmother. She was the PTA lady, a room mother, a leader in Bluebirds, Cub Scouts, and Girl Scouts – as well as a BBG advisor, known lovingly as Aunt Betty to hundreds of Houston teens. She and Milton adored their 13 original grandchildren and treasured their special time with them as they took them on cruises. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Milton Freedman, her parents, Goldie & Izzy Knobler, and her brother, Ivan Knobler. She is survived and will be deeply missed by her children, Marc & Twilight Freedman, Don “Duck” & Martha Freedman, Judy & Ronnie Yambra, and Linda & Nelson Block, as well as her grandchildren, Monica & Warren Snideman, Wendy & Ryan Peterson, Jennifer & Ray Holsomback, Gary & Tessa Anderson, Brian & Justine Anderson, Henry & Arin Freedman, Emily Freedman, Sam & Auna Freedman, Ilana & Dave Hart, Amy & Gage Mueller, Steven Yambra, Lauren & Jason Lourie, Lisa Yambra, Adam & Jocelyn Block, Brian & Tirza Block and Jordan & Chana Block. Carrying on her legacy are her 27 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her dear sister-in-law, Sylvia Freedman, along with her nieces, Elaine Epstein and Cindy Freedman, and her nephew and his wife, David & Cathy Knobler. We will forever be grateful for the exceptional love, devotion, and care given by Raquel Cambranes, Marne DeLeon, Claudia DeLeon, Cesia Milian, and Mariana Canak. They truly loved and treated Mom like their own. A memorial service will take place on Monday, October 27, 2025, at 4:30 PM in the Freedman-Levit Sanctuary at Congregation Beth Yeshurun, 4525 Beechnut Street, Houston, Texas 77096. A livestream of the memorial service is available to view at the following link: https://www.bethyeshurun.org/freedman-levit-sanctuary In lieu of flowers, for those who wish to honor Betty’s memory, donations may be made to Congregation Beth Yeshurun’s Sam Freedman Fund (https://www.bethyeshurun.org/payment.php), Houston Food Bank (https://www.houstonfoodbank.org/), Jewish Family Service (https://www.alexanderjfs.org/donate), Hadassah (https://hwzoa.networkforgood.com/projects/262201-west-gsw-betty-knobler-freedman), or a charity of your choice.

Betty Knobler Freedman

July 29, 1928 - October 24, 2025