Freda Helen Birmingham

Freda Helen Birmingham “Fearless” passed away peacefully in her home on August 12th, surrounded by her family. Until the end, Freda shared endless stories and memories that continually made us laugh and smile.

Born February 19, 1928 in St. Joseph, MO to Martin and Maude Ambrozi, both of whom had emigrated from Serbia after WWI. Throughout her life, she held a deep love and connection to her mother and father, and always smiled fondly when remembering the nickname, “Fritz” given to her by her father.

As a young girl, she was extremely outgoing and considered quite the “Tom Boy”. She attended school at the Convent of the Sacred Heart and later transferred to Benton High School from where she graduated. Freda excelled in school, she was a straight A student, a member of the National Honor Society, Pep Club President, Latin Club President, and Editor of the school newspaper.

She attended Colorado Women’s College, where she began pursuing her dream of becoming a doctor. However, these plans were diverted when she chose to marry and start a family with Robert “Bob” Cason Birmingham. Luckily, there were plenty of opportunities to practice medicine, as she and Bob had 9 children, Casey (wife Anna), Mark, Greg (wife Holly), Sean (wife Miharu), Sheila Miller (husband Donnie), Brian, Bridget Boone (husband Scott), Maureen Brown (husband Randall), and Kerry Smith (husband Jake). She and Bob raised their children together until he passed in 1976. She never remarried and continued to raise and guide her children on her own … quite an incredible accomplishment!

Freda was once asked “what are the most important things in your life”, to which she replied - “my faith, my family, and my friends”. When asked her hobbies, she listed sun-bathing first … and what a beautiful tan she had. She had a love for music (big band being a favorite), dancing, sewing, reading, hosting family parties, and socializing with friends. A warm welcome was always given to anyone coming through her “unlocked” front door. Freda was always up for sharing a good glass of red wine, cheese & crackers, vanilla ice cream and watching Sound of Music. And let’s not forget her LOVE of QVC … her children and grandchildren were the recipients of many treasures!

She found great fulfillment in volunteering at her beloved St. Gabriel Parish, as well as her work as a Funeral Director with McGilley Antioch Chapel. There, she was one of the first Family Care Counselors, providing guidance and support for grieving families.

We are forever grateful for the endless meals she prepared, the many all-nighters spent caring for sick children or sewing clothes (oh, how we would appreciate those now). We can’t say enough about the amazing holidays she organized and executed: Christmas Eve with all the presents waiting when we returned from midnight mass, hiding Easter baskets (even when we were adults), baking kefla (a Serbian sweet bread that was a true labor of love), planning family vacations … and all this on a modest budget. To say she was resilient would be an understatement!

Those who knew her described her as a beautiful, strong, caring, supportive, dedicated, and fun-loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother of 17, great-grandmother to 16 and a friend to all.

“Laku noć pile malo” (Goodnight Little Chickee), her favorite Serbian phrase! Go in peace Fearless! May you be greeted by your mother Maude, your father Martin, your husband Bob, your son Mark, and all your loved ones who passed before you!

We want to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to Good Shepherd Hospice, especially to her nurse Jean Karumbi, who showed her wonderful care with kindness, humor and the patience to deal with all of us : )

A funeral Mass will take place on Wednesday, August 23rd @10am at St Gabriel Parish, 4737 North Cleveland Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64117. The family will be hosting a Celebration of Life on Saturday, October 7th between 2pm and 5pm at the Birmingham home in Sherwood. We look forward to gathering with family and friends.

In lieu of flowers contributions are suggested to St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959.