Alaska School Yearbooks by County
Joyce Pattison
Juneau resident Joyce Seifert Pattison died Feb. 26, 2008, in Juneau. She was 79.
She was born Jan. 27, 1929.
Over the years, she was a storyteller, tradition keeper and the link between her family's past and present, her family said.
"It was her wonderful spirit and interest in all that she knew that added so much to our lives," her son said. "She will always have a special place of honor in our family tree and a place in our hearts."
According to her family, she wanted her friends who were many and her family to know "she was busy."
She is survived by her children, Sandie Metcalf, Jolie Lawrence, Glenda Lee and Cary Seifert; and 11 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.
Susan A. Brandt
Juneau Resident Susan A. Brandt died the morning of May 10, 2008, after a short duration of bone and liver cancer.
According to her family, in her last weeks of life, she was taken care of by two angels, Billy and Sarah Pemberton.
She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Owen and Voyena Brandt.
She was survived by her daughter, Allison F. Brandt, of Juneau; sister, Kathy Sneller; and brothers, Kurt Brandt, of Ketchikan, and Randy Lanfell, of Hayden, Idaho.
A big thank you goes to Hospice and Home Care of Juneau, for their services in helping with her care.
A celebration of life will be from 6-8 p.m. Friday, May 30, at 2216 Radcliffe Road.
James 'Vince' O'Reilly
Former Juneau resident James "Vince" O'Reilly died peacefully in the company of his children on May 18, 2008, at Heritage Place in Soldotna. He was 81.
Born June 27, 1926, in Bayside, N.Y., to James Vincent and Florence O'Reilly, he graduated from Manhasset High School and then served in the U.S. Army Air Corps. After his discharge, he attended the University of Notre Dame, where he graduated with a degree in finance in 1949.
Family said he met the love of his life, Marjorie, at a summer tennis tournament in Vermont in 1951. They were married on Oct. 25, 1952, in Boston.
O'Reilly had the opportunity to visit Alaska for business several times from 1969-1970. The warm welcome he experienced from every Alaskan he met convinced him that he wanted to raise his family in Alaska, his family said. The O'Reilly family made lifelong friends when they met George and Rose Navarre and their 11 children during their first summer in Kenai.
In Kenai, O'Reilly worked for the Kenai Peninsula Borough, Kenai Air Service and established his private consulting firm, VORCO. He retired as the deputy commissioner of Commerce and Economic Development with the Sheffield administration.
While in New York, he coached youth sports, served as a volunteer firefighter and was active with the NAACP and urban renewal. He served as the mayor of Kenai from 1977-83 and was an active participant in the Alaska Democratic Party, a founding member of the Peninsula Oilers and a parish council member at the church. He also was elected the mayor of Heritage Place.
"Our family is forever blessed by his loving patience and guidance," his family said.
O'Reilly was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie, sister, Lora, and an infant granddaughter, Erin.
He is survived by daughters, Deirdre Marblestone and husband, Ron, Patty Rich and husband, Jim, and Margaret Gilman and husband, Blaine; sons, Vince O'Reilly, Sean O'Reilly and wife, Tarie, and Tom O'Reilly and wife, Patty; grandchildren, Dan and Aimi Rich, Liz and James Bouman, Maria and Emily Rich, Claire, Brian and Sarah Marblestone, Kathleen, James and Xandra O'Reilly, Rachel, Annie and Katherine O'Reilly, Tommy, Jack and Anna O'Reilly, and Rebecca, Ben, Jacob and Brittany Gilman; great-grandchildren, Olivia and Rich Bouman, Dawson Schmidt and Mila Rich; sister-in-law, Patricia Coggins; nieces, Gail Carter, Jeanette Bolte and Karen Montagne; and nephew Michael Coggins.
Visitation will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 22, at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church on Spruce Street in Kenai. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 23, at the church.
Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Kenai Community Foundation, 125 N. Willow St., Kenai, AK 99611. Condolences may be sent to the family at 216 Susieanna Lane, Kenai, AK 99611. Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Marjorie J. Todd
Former Juneau resident Marjorie J. Todd (nee Snell) died on June 28, 2008, at the home of her daughter, Sandra L. Menzies, in Elyria, Ohio. She was 85.
She was born Oct. 18, 1922, in Juneau, where she graduated fourth in her class from Juneau-Douglas High School in 1941 and was a member of the National Honor Society.
Her family lived in a house next to the Governor's Mansion in Juneau, but it no longer exists. According to her son, James Todd, she also babysat on occasion for Gov. Ernest Gruening's children.
She met her husband, David B. Todd, while he was stationed in Juneau with the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war, she followed him back to Ohio where they were married.
"My mother always loved and missed Juneau," her son said.
She was employed by the Selective Service in Juneau from 1941 to 1946, when she moved to Elyria with David. She worked for the Elyria City Schools in the cafeteria from 1972 to 1992, when she retired. She also worked on a seasonal basis for the U.S. Postal Service in Elyria for many years.
She was a member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church for 62 years and a former member of the Episcopal Church Women. She was a lifetime member of the Juneau Chapter No. 7 Order of the Eastern Star and was a former member and officer of OAPSE.
She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Emily Snell; brother, Robert J. Snell and his wife, Winifred; and former husband, David B. Todd.
She is survived by her daughters, Carol A. McCartney and Sandra L. (Thomas) Menzies; sons, James B. (Christine) Todd and David A. Todd, all of Elyria; six grandchildren; and one great-grandson.
Visitation was held July 1 and a funeral service was held July 2 in Elyria. The Rev. Nancy Roth officiated. Burial was in Brookdale Cemetery in Elyria.
Memorial contributions may be made to New Life Hospice, 5255 N. Abbe Road, Elyria, OH 44035.
Gerald Shelley
Juneau resident Gerald Shelley died July 12, 2008, in his home. He was 68.
He is survived by his daughters, Sandra Goodrich and Lazette Harnish, both of Oregon.
A memorial service will be held in his honor from 5 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 22, at Eagles Fraternity 4200, 2055 Jordan Ave. No. 1 in Juneau.
