Albert Einstein said, "Only a life lived for others is worth living." Tonight we are honoring a couple who not only believe in this truth, they LIVE it! Fred and Jill Healey have discovered the richness of life being lived to its fullest through serving others.
Fred attended Granite School District schools, graduating from Skyline High School. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Utah as well as a Masters degree in Finance graduating summa cum laude. Since then, Fred has been the proverbial "Renaissance Man" in finance related careers. He has owned and operated over 20 restaurants, taught real estate classes at the U of U for 13 years, ran a small computer company, and for the past 18 years has been the CFO and COO of Feature Films for Families. Why did Fred make this career change in the midst of a successful career in the real estate and restaurant businesses? The reason is simple: "At the end of the day I wanted to know I did something positive."
Even though real estate has been Fred’s "hobby" in life, he has served as the president of the multi-family Home Builders Association of Utah. He also owns his own brokerage firm. Fred is also a BIG proponent of scouting. He was the chairman of the Eagle Scout Breakfast sponsored each year by the Great Salt Lake Council for Eagle Scouts and their parents.
Fred and Jill have been 100% involved in the Granite Education Foundation for 17 years. Fred served as the president of the Foundation following Catherine Pedersen. He brought with him Randy Woodbury and Peter Hoj - who each became presidents in due time. He worked with Golfing for Children, Change for Children, and helped brainstorm and create the event we have here tonight: The Children’s Friend Award Dinner and Auction. Before this event, he took charge of a Mill Hollow fund raiser held at Cottonwood High School. He hustled any way he could think of to raise funds to help promote the worthy causes of the Granite Education Foundation.
Jill is also a product of Granite School District and the University of Utah where she received a degree in Elementary Education. She taught 3rd grade at Carl Sandburg Elementary until their first baby came. She has actively served alongside her husband with college age young adults. She was the Area and Inter Chapter Advisor of Lambda Delta Sigma sorority at the University of Utah, and has supported her husband while he was bishop of an LDS singles ward. Five years ago Jill joined the Excel committee of the Granite Education Foundation. This committee honors outstanding teachers and administrators in the Granite School District. She has particularly enjoyed the visits to various schools presenting teachers with this award.
Fred and Jill have been married for almost 40 years and have 7 children and 17 grandchildren. Their children describe this marriage as "wonderful." Their daughter Holly has told us that both her mom and dad are willing to jump in and help anyone who needs them. She sums up her parents in one word: PERFECT! We have an eyewitness account that Fred stops at Costco - or somewhere else - to buy Jill flowers EVERY WEEK to let her know how much he loves her! They are teaching their kids not only how to work hard in life, but teaching them to live their lives serving others. Fred and Jill don’t just believe that Albert Einstein was right about the importance of living life for others, they personify it.
Fred and Jill - you have made our world a much better place. We know our children and our community are better because of your love, dedication, sacrifice and service.
