Missing mom, feared dead, remembered here as a 'fun kid,' 'exceptional mom,' 'angel'

Herald staff

POULSBO — Growing up in Suquamish, Heather Alaina Carroll — her name was Beckwith then — left an impression that endures eight years after she and her family moved away: That of a “fun kid” who loved music and loved singing in her church choir.

“She was a great kid, a fun kid to be around,” said Brian Whelan, a family friend and an elder at Bayside Church. “This has all come out of left field.”

Carroll, 25, is believed to be the woman found dead in a house in Hollister, Calif., Saturday, three days after she was reported missing. A man, David Jose Quiroz, of Hollister, surrendered after a 10-hour standoff with police and is being held in connection with the woman’s death.

Carroll was reported missing after she failed to pick up her son at school. Her car was found Thursday destroyed by fire; the car was not occupied, authorities said.

An autopsy was being conducted Monday by the San Benito County coroner; the woman’s identity hadn’t been confirmed by authorities as of 1 p.m. Monday, but Whelan submitted an obituary to local media on behalf of the family. The family has scheduled a memorial service for Oct. 18, 2 p.m., at Bayside Community Church, 25992 Barber Cut Off Road NE, Kingston. A potluck luncheon will follow.

The obituary described a woman of faith who was devoted to her family and friends. Here is the obituary submitted by the family:

Heather Alaina (Beckwith) Carroll of Hollister, Calif., joined her loving, heavenly Father on Oct. 10. Heather was a great mom and a dearly loved wife, daughter, granddaughter, sister, and friend to everyone who knew her.

Heather was born March 26, 1987 in Aberdeen, Wash., and spent the first year of her life at Lake Quinault. In 1988, her father, Mark, a member of United States Army, was assigned to Germany where they lived until 1993 when the family moved to Suquamish where Heather attended school.

Heather and her family were members of Bayside Community Church in Kingston, where she was involved in Sunday school, children’s choir and other activities. She lived there until moving in 2004 to Las Vegas, Nev., where she met her husband, Grady.

Riley, Heather and Grady’s son, was born in Las Vegas on July 7, 2007. Riley was the love of Heather’s life. She was an exceptional mother not only to her son, but regularly cared for other children in her home. In 2011, Heather, Grady and Riley moved to Hollister, Calif., near Grady’s parents Mike and Susan Carroll.

Heather was a very loving person. Many of her friends described her as “an angel.” She gave freely of her time and resources to others.

Heather is preceded in death by her grandmothers, Shirley O. Reeves and Judith C. Ogle. She is survived by her son, Riley Adam Carroll and husband, Grady Carroll of Hollister; her father and mother, Mark and Mardi Beckwith of Prosser, Wash.; her sister, April Souza of Wasilla, Alaska; brother, Matthew Beckwith of Long Island, N.Y.; and her grandfathers, Harold Reeves of Silverdale and John C. Ogle of Danville, Wash.; along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and adoring friends.

There will be a memorial service in honor of her precious life on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012 at 2 p.m. at Bayside Community Church, 25992 Barber Cut Off Road NE, Kingston. A potluck luncheon will be served immediately following the service.

 

 

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