It is with heavy hearts to say that our beloved Heather passed away this week at just 35 years old after a nearly decade-long fight with cancer that ended Wednesday night May 13, 2026. She underwent care at City of Hope Hospital in Duarte, CA. She is gone too soon but graciously was able to pass away in her sleep without pain.
Heather was diagnosed just one week before her 26th birthday with retroperitoneal liposarcoma. What followed would have broken most people: five major surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, countless procedures, unimaginable pain, and losses no one should ever have to endure. But somehow, impossibly, she never lost herself. Not once did she let cancer become her identity.
In fact, many people outside of her closest circle never even knew the extent of what she was carrying, because Heather never wanted sympathy. She wanted to be known for who she truly was: An ER resident, a Navy lieutenant, a daughter, a sister, a loyal friend, and one of the most deeply loving humans this world has ever known.
Heather was never meant to be defined by cancer. That just simply wasn’t her story. If you knew her, you know she would probably roll her eyes at even reading that sentence because Heather was never “the cancer girl.” She was life. Adventure. Laughter that filled a room. The kind of person who made the world feel softer and brighter just by existing in it.
She was brilliant and wildly capable, but somehow still endlessly warm. She was bubbly without being naive, strong without needing attention for it, and resilient in a way that left people in awe. In a world where it’s easy to become jaded, Heather stayed bright, hopeful, kind, funny. She had an ever-infectious smile and a permanent “let’s go” attitude, even when life gave her every reason not to. Somehow, through all of it, she kept showing up for others. She kept making people laugh. She kept making life feel beautiful.
Heather was known for her energetic personality and bright positivity, earning her nicknames such as “Lala” and “Resident Sunshine”. At home she was Binks and Binky, a tease for her toddler self’s obsession with her binky. But to all she was the strongest, most positive person we knew. She always lent a hand and a shoulder to cry on when we were in need. She truly was a force to be reckoned with battling cancer for 9 years with a smile on her face. She loved her family and friends deeply and that love was felt by all who knew her. She enjoyed a life of travel, adventure, dancing, and sometimes a little bit of wine or fancy cocktail.
She is survived by many loved ones, including her parents James McKelvey & Denise Fredianelli, her siblings James McKelvey & Ashley McKelvey, her Aunt Erica Holloway, her godson Rene Gonzalez, her nephews William McKelvey & Finley Kerschner, and her niece Riley Kerschner. We want Heather’s story to be honored and celebrated and thus shared with you all. We have appreciated all the love and support from everyone Heather has touched and wanted to use this as a platform for all who wanted to donate in support of hospital and funeral expenses. In Heather’s honor we will be donating the remainder of the funds to her cancer support group, First Descents.
Born in West Chester, PA on March 7, 1991, Heather as a child was always happy, strong-willed, competitive with her older brother & protective of her baby sister. She loved tagging along with her big brother as well as playing and doing arts and crafts with her little sister. Heather as a teenager in high school was driven and motivated to be the best she could be. She made many friends, and best friends that she still has to this day. Heather was a dedicated athlete playing field hockey, basketball, track and swim team. She continued to swim through college.
Heather attended Arcadia University earning a bachelor’s in biology and taking full advantage of their study abroad opportunities. She did her study abroad in Ireland and traveled all across Europe. She completed a post-baccalaureate at Keck Graduate Institute in Pre-Med. This led to her path taking her to Fort Lauderdale, FL where she attended and graduated medical school from Nova Southeastern University earning her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.). During medical school she joined the US Navy and upon graduation received the rank of Lieutenant. She was selected for residency in Emergency Medicine at Arrowhead Regional Hospital and completed 2 years of training before her untimely death. Due to her enthusiastic energy, her fellow residents and interns nicknamed her “Resident Sunshine”.
During Heather’s battle with cancer, she became very involved with the cancer adventure group, First Descents. First Descents is a non-profit that provides life-changing outdoor adventure experiences for young adults impacted by cancer — something that feels so deeply aligned with Heather’s adventurous, courageous spirit. During treatment, Heather went ice picking, kayaking, and hiking with First Descents where on one trip she earned the name “Lala” for her energetic and bright personality.
It is an understatement how loved and cherished she was, and thus her memory will be forever celebrated.
Trying to explain Aunt Heather’s passing to her 5-year-old niece meant having one of those impossible conversations about what happens after we die. We talked about all of the possibilities. We talked about how we might turn into flowers, or stars, or something beautiful the world still gets to keep. And with every ounce of a five-year-old’s unfiltered joy, Riley exclaimed, “or maybe rainbows!”
Maybe she’s in heaven, another life beyond this one, or her soul is returning to the universe she came from. Maybe she’s somewhere beautiful just beyond our understanding. Or maybe she’s closer than we think.
Maybe she’s in the warmth of the sun on your skin after a hard day. In the salty air rolling off the ocean. In the rustling leaves overhead or the song of a bird that makes you stop and listen for just a moment longer. Maybe she’s the butterfly that lands softly beside you, the flowers that bloom after a storm, or the quiet kind of beauty that reminds you life still exists even after heartbreak. And maybe - just maybe - she’s in every rainbow.
So, from now on, when the sky breaks open in color after the rain, say hi to Heather for us. Tell her you love her. Tell her you’re still carrying her light forward. Let the rainbow remind you to laugh louder, love harder, travel farther, and hold the people you love a little closer — because that is how Heather lived every single day of her life.
She may no longer walk beside us, but she will forever move through this world in a thousand beautiful ways.
Dr. Heather Ann McKelvey
3/7/1991 - 5/13/2026
Forever in our hearts
Forever in our souls