Theresa Frazier

Obituary for Theresa Bernice Frazier (neé Swanwich):

Theresa Bernice Frazier, 75, was born August 8th, 1946 in East Cleveland. She died peacefully on February 4th 2022 in Columbus, Ohio.

Theresa was a unique, gregarious lady with a flair for living. She greatly valued humor, beauty, love, commitment and effort. Theresa was a loving sister, and often a caregiver to her three younger siblings in their early lives. She grew up near Euclid Beach and Collinwood High School in Cleveland, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theater from University of Akron.

Theresa was in 8th grade at Collinwood when she saw a handsome 10th grader performing as the lead in “My Fair Lady.” A future drama student herself, she nudged her friend and said “See that guy up there? I’m going to marry him someday.” Two years later she ran into that guy, Walter Frazier, at the bus stop and asked him out on their first date to a Rainbow Girls ceremony where she became Worthy Advisor. The rest was history: Walter and Theresa were married on July 31st 1965. Early in their 56-year marriage they lived in Panama, California, Massachusetts and Ohio.

After working on children’s theater productions and helping to establish a theater workers’ union in Akron, Theresa devoted her boundless energy to raising three daughters and running her household. Her family later moved to Buffalo, NY, and she stayed involved in her craft as a member of the wardrobe union and as a youth theater director. She began working full time when her kids grew more independent. Theresa continued teaching theater, directed and acted in shows at Lancaster Opera House, wrote ads and did voice work at WKSE-FM, and eventually ran her own marketing firm with dear friend Suzanne Badgley. As empty nesters, Theresa and Walt opened a bed and breakfast, The Three Sisters, in Millersburg, OH, where Theresa worked as a substitute teacher. They then moved back to Akron, where Theresa served as an interpreter at Stan Hywet historic house, a position that put her theatrical and people skills in the spotlight. Whatever the work was, she pulled her whole self into it.

Theresa was enthusiastically involved in her community. She was a Girl Scout leader and president of the elementary school PTO. She volunteered at Brothers of Mercy nursing home and raised money for the American Cancer Society. She was part of the Harris Hill Mothers Club, a vibrant social community for neighborhood moms. She always supported and connected with her friends and family, through many means including baking amazing pies, hosting Thanksgiving dinners, and sharing her wry brand of wisdom.

Theresa is survived by her three daughters and their families, Gretchen Frazier, John Stoehr and Edith Stoehr; Megan, Isadora and Georgiana Frazier; and Mara Frazier, Doug Carraway and Thegn Penrose. She is also survived by her siblings and their families: George Swanwich and Karen Stradtman; Joyce and Michael Brouman; Joanna and James Gartner; and nieces and nephews Geoff Brouman, Shannon Chakedis, Daniel Brouman and Katie Gartner and their families. Her husband Walter S. Frazier predeceased her by12 weeks.

Theresa Frazier’s memorial celebration will be held on Monday February 21st, 2022 from 1:30 pm-3:30 pm at Weathervane Playhouse in Akron OH, a meaningful place in Theresa’s life. Flowers are appreciated, or please consider making a donation to Weathervane Playhouse or to the Akron-Summit County Public Library system in Theresa’s name.