Barbara Freeman Michanowicz

Barbara Jean Freeman Michanowicz passed away on Thursday evening, March 16th, 2023 at her home in Hermitage, Tennessee with her devoted husband, Frank, and loving daughter, Denise, by her side. Barbara was born on October 30, 1934, to parents Ruth Waller and Charles T. Freeman, Sr. in Nashville, Tennessee.

Barbara graduated from East High School in 1953 and pursued a degree in elementary education and music at George Peabody College for Teachers where she met and married Frank M. Michanowicz from Swedesburg, Pennsylvania the father of her three children. Survived by husband, Frank (Fritz) M. Michanowicz; daughter, Dawn Michanowicz of Holden, MA; son, Mark M. Michanowicz of Venice, Italy; daughter, Denise (Nushka) Michanowicz of Aeroeskoebing, Danmark; grandchildren, Matthew (Matt) Gleysteen of Seoul, South Korea, Andrew (Andy) Gleysteen of Boston, MA, Marco Michanowicz, and Nicole R. Singer of New York, NY. She also leaves behind four step-grandchildren or as known in Danmark, bonus- grandchildren, Mads and Malene Slemming of Soenderborg, Danmark, Jack Bryan of Plaistow, NH and Shelly (Bryan) Sasse of Orlando, FL. Barbara was an Attendant for Mister And Miss Peabody 1955 and served as Secretary/Treasurer of her Sophomore Class. In 1975 Barbara attended the University of Maryland (Livorno, Italy) and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree on May 27th, 1979, with a major in History and minor in Music and Social Studies.

Barbara pursued her passion as a professional musician playing the piano, organ as well as singing beginning her career working with such greats including Pat Boone, among others.

When Barbara married Frank and moved to Europe where they began their life together in Frankfurt, Germany; Paris, France; Ansbach, Germany; Nuremberg, Germany; Vicenza and finally in Livorno, Italy. She worked as an administrative assistant/stenographer at the Nuremberg WWII war trials in Germany. A devoted housewife when her children were born, she later took a position as the base organist/pianist for the Officer’s wives Club both at Camp Ederle in Vicenza, Italy as well as Camp Darby in Livorno, Italy. She loved the arts and also worked at the Music & Theatre at Camp Darby. Barbara worked as a substitute teacher for the Department of Defence Schools in Germany and Italy. In true Tennessee spirit she volunteered as a Girl Scout Leader and served as President of the German American club.

Barbara moved to Hermitage, Tennessee in 1985 when Frank retired, and was the organist at a number of churches in the Greater Nashville Area. She retired from playing the organ several years ago however, she happily played at her church, Hermitage Presbyterian Church, whenever needed. She played her final service on Christmas 2022.

Barbara’s shared her love of travel and adventure as a tour guide for the Officer’s wives Club both at Camp Ederle in Vicenza, Italy as well as Camp Darby in Livorno, Italy often taking her children with her. When Barbara and Frank retired and moved to Hermitage, Tennessee, they continued their love of travel going on countless cruises and trips around the world with family and friends making new friends and memories to last a lifetime. She was a history buff especially interested in her maternal and paternal family history compiling information dating back several generations.

The following cats held a special place in Barbara’s heart: Boots, Blacko, Trixie, Goldie, Kirby and Shadow, Foxy and Teddy.

Barbara’s close family and dearest friends considered her a Steel Magnolia and lovingly called her a Social Butterfly as she would befriend a stranger in the grocery store checkout line. She loved her children and especially her grandchildren fiercely. She will be missed by all who encountered her.

A life well lived, in her memory, donations can be made in her name to the American Cancer Society (link: https://www.cancer.org/), the ASPCA (link: https://www.aspca.org/), the Hospice Foundation of America (link: https://hospicefoundation.org/) or Music Makes Us (link https://nashvillepef.secure.nonprofitsoapbox.com/mmu).

Her remains rest at the Hermitage Home & Memorial Gardens where she will be cremated. A memorial to celebrate Barbara’s life will be held in the fall of 2023 in Tennessee, place TBD.