Natalie Edison Freund, a longtime local supporter of the arts and community volunteer activist, died Monday, April 9, 2007, at #2 McKnight Place extended care center in University City. She was 90.

A native of Atlanta, Mrs. Freund moved to St. Louis with her family when she was 12. Samuel Edison, her father, was one of the founders of Edison Brothers Stores, Inc. Mrs. Freund attended Wheaton College in Massachusetts and then Washington University in St. Louis. In 1938, she married Henry L. Freund, owner of the Freund Baking Co. in St. Louis. Mr. Freund died in 1980.

Mrs. Freund was long active with Washington University and the Saint Louis Art Museum. At the university, she was a former member of the Alumni Board of Governors and the Sam Fox School of Art National Council. She and her husband funded the Freund Fellowship Program, a collaboration between the university and the museum for visiting artists to teach while having their work displayed.

At the Saint Louis Art Museum, Mrs. Freund was a benefactor and a former board member. She was a charter member of the museum’s Legacy Society, Contemporary Arts Society and the Beaux Arts Council. In 1986, she was honored as the Beaux Arts Society recipient.

A memorial service for Mrs. Freund was held April 12 at Temple Emanuel. Burial was private.

Among survivors are three sons, Michael H. Freund of St. Louis; Henry L. Freund Jr. of Santa Barbara, Calif.; and John E. Freund of Chicago; six grandchildren; a stepgrandson and four great-grandchildren.

Contributions may be made to the Sam Fox School of Art at Washington Universtiy, One Brooking Drive, Campus Box 1210, St. Louis, Mo. 63130; the Saint Louis Art Museum, 1 Fine Arts Drive, St. Louis, Mo. 63110, or to the donor’s choice.