Vicki L. (Moses) Friedman

Vicki Lynne (Moses) Friedman passed away on August 22, 2025 surrounded by family in St. Louis, at the age of 71. She was the beloved wife of Gary; devoted mother to her son Scott and daughter Sara; adored grandmother of Eliot, Ada, Teddy, Lucia, and Owen; supportive mother-in-law to Sara and Ben; and caring aunt to Rebecca, Martin, and Leah.

Vicki grew up in Lubbock, TX and earned BFA and MAT degrees from Washington University in Saint Louis. At a pool in St. Louis, wearing a ripped swimsuit, she met Gary, the love of her life. Together they raised two children amid a life full of art projects, beloved pets, canoe and rafting trips, extravagant Halloween costumes, ballroom dancing competitions and awards, and the warmth of a “chosen family” of friends that persists to this day. Vicki worked as Director of Medical Photography, Illustration and Computer Graphics at Washington University School of Medicine, and was also the Founder, Executive Director, and creative force behind the Arts As Healing Foundation that provides free art instruction to people with cancer and other chronic illnesses that has benefited thousands in the St. Louis area alone.

Vicki faced cancer herself: breast cancer at the age of 31, sarcoma in her early 60s, and pancreatic cancer in 2021. Her own experiences with cancer guided her work as a professional and a volunteer, culminating in an AIR Livestrong Artist in Residence award, a 2018 Focus St. Louis What’s Right With the Region Award, and a 2022 Women of Achievement award. While supporting her family and earning professional accolades, Vicki pursued her passions as an artist and her work has been shown at solo shows and invitational exhibitions.

Vicki is survived by her husband, two children, and five grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her father Sam, her mother Shirley, and her brother Randy.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are preferred to Arts as Healing or any charity of your choice. A Memorial Service will take place at Congregation Shaare Emeth in St. Louis, Missouri on Tuesday, August 26 at 10:00am followed by a private family burial.