Heather Joan Belsey died a tragic and untimely death October 7, 1998, in Salt Lake City.
Heather was born September 21, 1968, in Berwyn, Illinois, the daughter of George and Phyllis (Phee) Belsey, now residing in Denver, Colorado. The second of three children, Heather spent her early years in Oak Park, Illinois. She moved to Salt Lake City with her family in 1984. Heather attended East High School where she excelled in volleyball, track, swimming, student government and academics. Upon graduation in 1986, she attended the University of Iowa for two years where she played women's varsity volleyball. In 1988, Heather transferred to the University of Utah where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy. As part of her undergraduate studies, she served a Hinckley Institute internship with an international development organization in Washington, D.C. Her subsequent employment by this organization stimulated her interest in international service. Accepted as a Peace Corps Volunteer, she served the people of Thailand for two and one-half years as a community health specialist. Her experiences in the Peace Corps led her to seek a career in medicine, and she did her pre-medical studies at the University of Utah and Westminster College. During this time, she served as the president of the Utah Association of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers, and worked as a research assistant in a colon cancer study. In 1993, she married Krit Thanaratanasopohn. January 11, 1997, Heather gave birth to her beautiful daughter, Parley Poi Elizabeth Belsey. In September, 1997, Heather began her studies at the University of Utah School of Medicine. As a medical student, Heather volunteered at the Salt Lake Homeless Shelter clinic. She was known as a very energetic, enthusiastic person who gave unselfishly of herself to those in need. Heather was raised a Unitarian Universalist and became a practitioner of Buddhist meditation during her Peace Corps service.Heather is survived by her daughter, Parley; her parents, George and Phee; her brothers, Kevin and Eric; grandparents, Joan Belsey, Colorado Springs, CO, and Edward and Vivian Blair, Stanwood, WA; and her husband.
A memorial service honoring Heather will be held Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church, 569 South 1300 East. The family would like to greet friends an hour before the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Parley Belsey Education Fund, First Bank of Arapahoe County, P.O. Box 4667, Englewood, Colorado, 80155.
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