Eva Malin Ingegärd Fredin
Born: October 27, 1930 in Bromma, Stockholm, Sweden. Died: June 18, 2020 in Kirkland, Washington
Eva Fredin
Eva Fredin, longtime friend and resident of Kirkland, Washington passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 18, 2020. She was preceded in death by her parents, Karl Gustaf Ernst Fredin and Thilda Amalia Fredin, as well as her brother, Sture (Stuey) Carl-Gustaf Fredin. Eva is survived by her neighborhood friends, who became her extended family, and her best friend, Bobbi, and her godchildren, Greg and Julie.
Eva at Olympics
Eva was born on October 27, 1930 in Bromma, Stockholm, Sweden. She was a retired Swedish freestyle swimmer who won a bronze medal in the 4 × 100 m relay at the 1950 European Aquatics Championships. She competed at the 1948 and 1952 Olympics (where she also carried the Olympic torch) in the 100 m, 400 m and 4 × 100 m events with the best result of fifth place in the 100 m in 1948.
Eva immigrated to the United States in 1953 and became a United States citizen in 1963. Eva worked as a stewardess for Pan American Airlines from 1955 and was on many celebrated and inaugural flights for air travel, including the first flight from New York to London. She retired 
from Pan Am in 1980. In her retirement, she gave generously of her time as a volunteer for different charities (Ski for Light, Meals on Wheels, etc.), and later worked locally at the Sur La Table in Kirkland.
Eva will best be remembered as a very sweet and strong-willed Swede. She loved her dachshund dogs — Pandi, Marlene, Justus, Wilbur, Stuey, Linus and Scooter (to name a few) — and for years walked her dogs daily at Marymoor Park. Eva shared her life openly with the neighborhood community she loved, sharing her home and hospitality with her neighbors. There are countless children who grew up shaped by Eva’s kindness and shared adventures of Easter egg hunts, strawberry picking in fields, skiing in the Cascades, dog walking at Marymoor or just talking around her dining room table for hours. Eva lived life on her terms and her legacy will live on in the many lives she touched by the light of her life.
3 Responses to “Eva Malin Ingegärd Fredin”
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We miss Eva and her beloved pups, Linus & Stewie. Eva was such a sweet soul who spoiled our children with Easter treats, Christmas goodies and thoughtful surprises. We loved her stories of the Olympics, Sweden and her days at Pan Am. She was a true modern woman with an incredible independent spirit. Eva, we miss you and know that you are at peace reunited with your family. Love, M,A,C & L.
I grew up with Eva, stopping by almost daily after school to pick out a jolly rancher from her jar. I have incredibly fond memories of sitting at her table, or outside at the pond talking to her. I had the chance to see her when I came home last summer, and going inside was a trip of memory lane – she even still had my 2nd grade picture on her refrigerator. She was a powerful force and her memory continues on with those of us in the neighborhood who loved her.
Eva lived across the street from me growing up, she was a huge part of my childhood and truly like a 2nd mom, best friend, and mentor. I have so many great memories with her and how wonderful she was to me. I was just passing by the old neighborhood the other day telling my husband stories about her and how my dog Tippy always went over to her house and would spend hours there playing with his best friend Wilbur. I haven’t seen her in years, not since my kids were little when I drove thru the neighborhood and saw her VW bus and knew I had to stop. I wasn’t sure if she would remember me after all the years had passed but as soon as she opened the door she had a huge smile on her face. She knew who I was and she gave me a great big hug! Her house was exactly the same and we had a nice visit catching up. I wish I had stopped by after that day, I never did but I’m happy my kids had the chance to meet her.
Eva was a one in a million lady, I loved her very much and she will be missed by all who knew her.