Freya Everly
This site will be a place for James and I to share memories of Freya, reflect on our walk with grief, and shine a light on the generous cancer organizations that supported us through every step. Soon we will share updates on our memorials to Freya.
About Freya
Freya Everly Ness Ulwick was born on March 12, 2020, and lit up our world from the very beginning (fun fact: Freya was born the morning of Covid-19 lockdown in Chicago). Freya’s five years on this earth were full of laughter, fierce determination, and love so deep that it has forever changed us. Freya was diagnosed with leukemia in 2024 and while she was in remission from leukemia and continuing maintenance treatment, complications from a viral infection proved too great for her compromised immune system.
She passed far too soon and left a hole in this world, in our hearts, and in the lives of everyone who knew her and loved her. Freya was only five years old, and we hoped for so many days with her, and for her. We were not ready to say goodbye, and the world was not ready to lose her. But we can say, confidently, and without reservation, that she spent every one of her days on Earth loved wholly and intensely, and loving fiercely in return.
Freya was a small, but mighty five-year-old with a big presence and a strong and spicy personality. In every interaction with her she showed us just how much love one little heart can hold, and just how much one little life can shape the world around her. Freya had a way of drawing people in and reminding us of what really matters. She was a ball of brilliant stardust, and you couldn’t help but love her.
Her name, Freya, is of Norse origin and means “noble one.” It is a name rooted in strength, love, and protection, and one that has a deep and beautiful meaning for our family. Freya had strength in spades, from her fiery determination in the way she faced each new day, to the powerful presence she brought to our family. She was gentle and fierce, tender and unyielding—anchored by the love that she had for us, and that we had for her.
As we watched Freya grow, we taught her patience, strength, and how to find joy in everything. She taught us how she felt all of these things, and how she saw the world, in her own unforgettable language. Her smile, her determination, and her quiet bravery left an indelible mark on everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. Freya met life as it was, with honesty and resilience, and taught us how to love more openly and more fully. She was open and honest, mischievous and funny, sweet and strong. She was all of the things we loved, and more.
Though she was with us for only a little while, Freya’s impact will be lifelong. She lives on in the way we choose compassion over fear, presence over distraction, and love over all else. She lives on in her siblings, in her family, and in the community that surrounds us with love and care.
We will remember Freya in laughter and stillness, in small wins and quiet courage. We will say her name often, carry her story forward, and honor her by loving others the way she showed us to love—wholeheartedly, fiercely, and without reservation.
Freya will always be a part of us, and if you met her, we hope she will always be a part of you, too. And please know this: her light never faded; it simply changed form. We will carry it with us, always.
Keep Swimming
For those that followed Freya’s journey with leukemia, you may know that we adopted a familiar mantra in our lexicon to get through the incredibly hard days of treatment. The quote from Finding Nemo had been on our minds because of the teachable moment behind the words.
It’s challenging to find words to encourage us to persevere through difficult times. It’s incredibly complex and challenging to find words suitable for children of all ages to illustrate how we handle stressful situations. Trying to take small steps forward and not feel lost looking at the reality of our circumstances is no easy feat; but it’s exactly what we need to do.
Whatever your destination marker of hope may be, we hope you can use this phrase alongside us to persevere through the formidable things you may be battling.
We can do hard things, so just keep swimming.
Freya Everly 