Nadine Freedman

Wanda Nadine Meinkowsky was born January 20, 1928, to Henry and Emma (Thiele) Meinkowsky in Womack, TX. Nadine, as she was known, was the 5th of 7 children born to the couple. Nadine grew up on the family farm, taking care of pigs, chickens and sheep, as well as picking cotton and helping out wherever needed.
Any kind of social activity in Womack took place around the community school or the community church, and Nadine loved both of these places. She did well in school, and she learned to play piano and direct the church choir. At the age of 15, Nadine took over as church pianist (a position her oldest sister had held); by the age of 18, Nadine was directing the church choir.
After graduating as salutatorian from high school in 1945, Nadine decided to pursue a career as a school teacher. She began her education at Clifton Junior College. While attending junior college, Nadine met Malcolm Freedman, a young man from Valley Mills who had just returned from World War 2. Nadine and Malcolm were married December 11, 1947, shortly after Nadine graduated. The young couple tried their hand at farming; after a few lean years on the farm, Malcolm went to work for General Tire. In 1958 the family moved to Robinson where Nadine finished up her education degree from Baylor. Nadine went to work for Robinson ISD in 1962.
Three girls were born to Nadine and Malcolm: Gail in 1949, Jan in 1953 and Teresa in 1954. Church continued to play a large role in the family’s life; they attended St. John’s UCC where Nadine led the choir, or played the piano or organ as needed. Jerry was born in 1969.
Nadine continued to teach at Robinson ISD until 1995. In addition to teaching school, Nadine taught Sunday school, helped with vacation Bible schools (usually doing crafts and leading singing) and gave piano and organ lessons to hundreds of children (and a few adults) over the years. The influence and impact that Nadine has had on the community of Robinson is hard to measure.
After retiring from teaching school, Nadine continued to teach piano. She started branching out, driving to Valley Mills to offer lessons twice a week before tending to her cows. While she wasn’t teaching piano lessons, Nadine would be working in her yard and garden, making sure that the berries, tomatoes, peaches, pears, pecans, cantaloupe, grapes and various flowers were in tip top shape. And because she needed another hobby, Nadine raised parakeets, finches and doves.
Nadine slowed down a little as she got older. Eventually she retired from teaching piano, but she continued to be involved in the choir at Robinson Bethel Methodist Church. Nadine stayed as active and independent as possible until a stroke in November of 2016 forced her to move away from her home. Nadine moved to Arbor House, living there until her death on December 9th, 2019.
Nadine was preceded in death by her parents; by sisters Nelda, Verlia, Pauline, and Hester; by brother Henry Lewis; and by daughter Gail McWhirter and son in law Wayne McWhirter. Nadine is survived by her sister Emma Louise Conrad (Sis); daughters Jan Robbins of West and Teresa Kirk and husband Russell of Hallsburg; son Jerry Freedman and wife Rachel of Robinson; seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren; and many cousins, nephews and nieces.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to Shepherd's Heart Robinson Food Pantry, 1401 N 34th St, Waco, TX 76710.