Heather Holycross Frailey was born on August 11, 1977. It should come as no surprise to anyone who knew her that she was late. 3 Weeks late. Her tardiness was likely the result of a pre-mortal life party that she was either planning for or cleaning up after (though there is some conjecture that this was her first attempt to show her mom that Heather always does things precisely when she means to). Regardless, Heather was born into the Frailey home. Her privilege was to be born into the new and everlasting covenant of an eternal family. She was the fifth and final member of a five piece orchestra that didn’t always make beautiful music, but the family (and most onlookers) always enjoyed the concert.
Heather’s oldest sibling, Todd, was a proud and loving brother. Her other brother, P.C., was her closest playmate. As a family the Fraileys had amazing adventures together. They traveled the world in a conversion van, often with several foster brothers and sisters in tow. Heather was a competitive ice skater (just wait, it gets better), and many family vacations were set around trips to watch her compete in exciting venues like…the Dallas Galleria or the Providence Municipal Ice Rink. Heather’s older brothers were best known in ice skating circles for bringing class to the sport. They taught the spectators how to tailgate, how to make inappropriate cheers and how to insult and jeer the competition. To this day, Todd possess the ability to emit a shrill and deafening whistle that would knock the most polished figure skater out of her skates.
Heather was unflappable. Her mom was convinced that Heather was a size 4 petite, but Heather could never recall fitting into single digit clothing. Despite this, Raelle would always purchase panty hose and skating tights that were at least two sizes too small. Heather never let gravity, nor physics, get the better of her. With effort (and who knows how many jars of Vaseline), she would squeeze herself into the tights, dresses or leotards and cake on 10 pounds of make-up for each event. Her greatest skating performance, however, did not involve lacey outfits or fake eyelashes. Instead it came when she was a last second entrant to the speed skating event in a Chicago skating competition. Heather’s teammates were injured, and her team risked forfeiting the event and possibly the meet if no one would at least enter the race. Heather and her friend, who had never before attempted to speed-skate, volunteered to represent the rest of the team. These two figure skaters lined up like ballerinas alongside their veteran competition who crouched at the starting gate with hardened grimaces plastered across their faces. Heather’s new speed-skating unitard glistened with sweat (this was before the race started) as she glided to the starting line. As the sounding bell began the race, the skaters took off in a furry…that is, most of the skaters did. Heather and her teammate gracefully strode out of their starting blocks and began to glide around the rink with their arms outstretched like pageant queens with giant smiles gleaming at the crowd. The spectators loved every second of the event, but no cheer that day compared with the delight of the crowd as the other skaters crashed in a pile-up and Heather and her teammate glided past them to take first and second place in the heat. Through it all, Heather smiled and laughed and played to the crowd. She won the hearts of teammates and her competitors, and while they would never admit it, she developed at least two fans that were so committed to her that they cried on each other’s shoulders the night Heather was married.
Heather attended Utah Valley State College, now called UVU. She loved her days in college, and she developed friendships that have endured for almost 20 years. While at UVSC, she studied music, but to hear her tell it, she was really just there for the LDS Institute of Religion. She often spoke fondly of her days serving in that organization. She loved the leaders, the guests, the students and the activities. She perfected her craft as an event planner there, and while she would serve in many positions in her church throughout her life, she was known for her ability to create social activities that were entertaining and edifying.
Heather had a passion for debate and discussion. Whether you wanted to defend foreign policy decisions or debate the value of the designated hitter, if you wanted to have a discussion with Heather, you had to be prepared to defend your position. She was also a vocal community activist who stood tall for her convictions and would doggedly defend her principles. Whether you agreed with her or not, it was usually easier to concede her political point of view. On the eve of an election she had some friends who would simply call Heather and ask, “How should I vote tomorrow?” They never had to worry that she wouldn’t have an opinion.
Heather had a knack for making a party, a trip or an activity something truly memorable. She loved to travel, and she saw much of the world, even before she finished college. It surprised nobody when Heather came home from school and decided that she would become a travel agent. She loved what she did, and she excelled at it. Heather knew her trade and loved to do it. She would quickly climb the ranks at any agency she worked at, and soon she found the nerve to start her own business. Heather created Enchanted Journeys, and spent her days doing the work she loved the most. Her love of travel would eventually lead to an even greater love, when she boarded the Carnival Triumph in 2002.
Heather met a tall dark stranger on a cruise ship. When she came home she continued to call and write him. Heather’s father and brothers were suspicious of this guy, but to be fair, they would have been suspicious of an angel if he had wanted to date Heather. One thing led to another, and the aforementioned wedding night came to pass. Heather and Byron Alvarez were married on September 7, 2004 (of course in Walt Disney World, but there isn’t enough space in this format to get into all of that). One year later, Heather and Byron were sealed for time and eternity in the Atlanta, Georgia temple.
Heather endured the greatest tragedy of her life when she lost her father, Pat Frailey, in October of 2005. Heather was a daddy’s girl, and she was heartbroken to say goodbye to her dad before he could see his grandson that was to be born to her just seven months later. John Patrick Alvarez was born on April 24, 2006. He was named for his grandpa, and Heather loved J.P. with an intensity only a mother can understand. J.P. was her pride and joy, and his spiked hair and giant grin was infectious and irresistible to family and friends. J.P. filled the void that was missing in Heather’s life after the passing of her dad, and J.P. and his mother shared a bond that is intended to endure for eternity.
Heather was actively involved in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She had a strong testimony of the atonement of Jesus Christ. She also took to heart the admonishment to fellowship and care for others. She served in many capacities throughout her life, and always magnified her opportunities to serve. Heather prayed and learned then shared and taught the gospel of Christ. Her faith in God was great, and she trusted and believed that He has a plan for all of His children.
The God who gave her life called Heather home on June 2, 2014. The tragic loss of a young mother and friend has been felt in homes across the country. To those closest to her, the heartache of her passing seems impossibly difficult to endure; however, the memory of who she was, coupled with an understanding of who she will be, gives hope to their wounded hearts. Heather is survived by her husband, Byron Alvarez, her son John Patrick Alvarez Frailey, her brothers Todd and Patrick (P.C.) Frailey and her mother Raelle Frailey.
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