Cecilia A. Frederick

Cecilia Frederick, of St. Paul,  died April 26, 2022, at the age of 68.
Adventurous traveler, courageous spirit, builder of houses, kayaker, camper, at home on the water and in the woods.  Energetic gardener, garage candlemaker, fabulous cook, she was famous for her wholly original dinner parties and backyard bashes.  She loved her friends and family, any kind of challenge, and disregarding convention.  Committed to affordable housing she was the site supervisor for 36 homes with Habitat for Humanity, as well as homes she built in Winnipeg and the Philippines.  She supervised construction of Minnesota’s first “Women Build” Habitat home.  Committed to social justice, she made weekly deliveries of groceries to the Dorothy Day Center and taught boatbuilding to teens through Urban Boatbuilders.  It was that same indomitable spirit that allowed her to survive the ravages of dystonia over the past twenty years.  To know Cecilia, even as she suffered, was to witness her fierce determination and strength.

She is survived by her sister Loretta and Don Holmquist, brother Tim, sister-in-law Sheila O’Connor, niece Mikaela and nephew Dylan.

Preceded in death by parents Bill and Helen Frederick, and sister Emily.

Gratitude to Parkinson's Speciality Care Edina and Grace Hospice for tending to her with love.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite social justice cause in Cecilia’s honor.

An informal gathering to celebrate her life will be held Sunday, May 1, 1:00 at Gearty-Delmore Funeral Chapel, 3960 Wooddale Avenue South, St. Louis Park, 55416.