Evelina Fradejas reads a lesson during worship at a meeting of Diocesan Convention.
April 18, 1940 – Feb. 18, 2021
Evelina Fradejas, a member of St. Thomas’ Church, Hacienda Heights and an active member of Episcopal Asiamerica Ministries (EAM) at a diocesan, national and international level, died Feb. 18 at her home with her family at her side.
Survivors include eight of her 13 siblings, and many nieces and nephews. The family is observing a novena until Friday, Feb. 26; other service arrangements are pending.
“Eve was a very active member of EAM and had attended most of our national and international conferences under my watch,” wrote the Rev. Fred Vergara, missioner for Asiamerica Ministries for The Episcopal Church, who called Fradejas an exemplary lay leader. “She served as secretary of the Filipino Convocation and was with us in many meetings in the U.S. including EAM Consultations in Kaoshiung, Taiwan and Seoul, Korea and Filipino Convocation in Vancouver, Canada.”
Fradejas also is remembered in EAM as unofficial photographer, musician and, with members of her family, organizer of ballroom dances, Vergara noted. “Whenever the Fradejas are present in the FilCon, there is always a ballroom dance.”
Evalina Fradejas was born April 18, 1940 in Odiongan, Romblon, Philippines. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration at Mapua University and worked at the Bureau of Telecommunications of the Philippines. In her youth she was an active member of Iglesia Filipina Independiente (Philippine Independent Church).
Upon immigrating to the United States in 1969, she joined the Episcopal Church, with which the Philippine church is in full communion. She and most of her family settled in California, where she worked for the gas company for 25 years. The entire family are active members at St. Thomas’ Church where Fradejas was a vibrant presence, serving as a bishop’s committee member and longtime choir leader. Her family, remembering her love of travel, sports and helping people, describes her as “very kind, humble, classy and God-fearing.”
After she moved to the U.S., Fradejas continued to support many congregations in her homeland and provided scholarships to seminarians. Several recipients of her generosity were ordained to the priesthood, and one to the episcopate.