Alaska School Yearbooks by County
Nellie May Pusich
Nellie May Pusich died Jan. 7, 2009, due to cancer. She was 70.
Born May 8, 1938, to Clarence and Nellie Fowler, in Stanwood, Wash., she moved to Douglas aboard her father's fishing boat at the age of 3. Graduating from Douglas High School in 1956, she later lived in Washington, Germany and Hawaii before returning to her true "home" in Douglas in 1966.
Back where she wanted to raise her family, she embarked upon a successful career with multiple businesses, including serving as owner and operator of Foodland Super Drug for more than 30 years until her retirement in 2003. Active in the community, she was once named Juneau "Woman of the Year" for her achievements.
Well known for her gourmet cooking, she loved to entertain and share her hospitality anywhere she went whether at home in downtown Douglas or at their "snowbird" nest in Yuma, Ariz.
An avid gardener, her true passion was sportfishing. She could often be found most summers out on their boat, the M/V Sea Master, where she frequented many of her favorite places such as Taku Harbor, Elfin Cove, Kadasham and Funter Bay.
Fishing was in her genes, her family said, and unfortunately for most who thought they could out-fish her, humility was a lesson well learned. To soothe those battered egos, she typically shared her catch as consolation, always ensuring everyone left with a smile.
"She was a steadfast businesswoman, a gracious and nimble host, a loving wife and mother and most importantly - a generous and caring soul," her family said.
She was preceded in death by her parents and niece.
She is survived by her husband of 26 years, Lawrence "Larry" Pusich; children, William and Dottie Whitehead, Keith Whitehead and fiancé, Kara Rakestraw, Debbie Pusich and Bryce Patsy, all of Juneau, Gerald "Dee-o" and Terri Whitehead, of Rathdrum, Idaho, Rod and Sandy Whitehead, of Adak, and Linda Sturrock-Burger and Adrian Burger, of Snohomish, Wash.; brother, Robert Fowler, of Washington; grandchildren, Adrianne, Bethany, Natasha, Joshua, Joseph, Jerred, Jeffrey, Destiny, Keaton, Jake, Alex, Paul, Kylie, Brittney, Tyler and Alison; and countless friends whom she considered her extended family.
She requested that no service be held but wished to have a celebration of her life held on her birthday, May 8, 2009, at Sandy Beach for all who knew her. Further details will be posted in the Empire preceding the event.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, those wishing to convey their sympathies to make a donation in her name to Hospice and Home Care of Juneau.
Mimi Gregg
Haines resident Mimi Gregg, of Port Chilkoot, died Dec. 16, 2008, at the Ketchikan Pioneer's Home. She was 92.
Born Regina "Mimi" Guyer on Jan. 19, 1916, in New York, her mother was an opera diva of French descent and her father was the U.S. ambassador to South America.
A strong promoter, supporter and sponsor of the arts and culture, she was a founder of the Lynn Canal Community Players Group and was instrumental in bringing worldwide artists to Haines, more often than not housing these people in her own home.
She was active in the Alaska Community Theatre Association, volunteering herself and Haines for the first State Drama Festival. She remained chairperson for 12 years and in 1984 chaired the National Community Theatre Drama Festival, bringing more than 400 thespians to Haines from around the nation.
She arrived in Haines with her husband, Ted, and a small family in 1947 as part of a group of veterans who purchased Fort William H. Seward (Port Chilkoot). The couple started a gift shop selling their own creations, manufactured locally and based on Northwest Coast Art.
With a desire to "place Haines on the map," she started Alaska World Travel Service, which occupied a corner of the gift shop. She then served on the Alaska Marine Highway Task Force, participated in the formation of the Alaska Division of Tourism and helped establish the Alaska Visitors Association.
Often referred to as "Mrs. Chamber of Commerce," she helped form the Haines Chamber of Commerce. For years, she reported the local news over Juneau's KJNO Radio, as well as writing for the Juneau Alaska Empire and articles for Alaska Magazine. At 80, she was still volunteering time at the Haines KHNS Radio Station.
With adventurous spirit, Mimi and Ted traveled the world together and upon each return she would maintain that Haines is still the most beautiful place on earth.
She raised her four children in House No. 3 on "Officer's Row" in Port Chilkoot, which was truly her "castle," her family said.
"For Mimi, there were two kinds of people, Doers and Watchers, and the Watchers watch what the Doers do," her family said. "Doers make things happen, and Mimi certainly did that."
An only child, she is survived by her children, Tresham Gregg and Annette Smith, of Haines, Allan Gregg, of Clarkston, Mich., and K.A. Swiger, of Ketchikan; grandchildren, Juge Gregg, Rahsaan Gregg, Tina Smith, Jade Smith, Nick Swiger, Andrew Gregg and Kim Bell; and great-grandchildren, Cooper Gregg and Haden, Pearson, Evie and Reese Bell.
Ronald Lee Haley
Former Juneau resident Ronald Lee Haley died Dec. 24, 2008, in Kent, Wash. He was 51.
Born Nov. 30, 1957, in Seattle, he was a Juneau resident for 23 years, working as a maintenance man. He also served with the National Guard.
He is survived by his daughters, Rachel and Rebecca Haley; grandson, Chance Anderson; granddaughter, Kaylee Anderson; mother, Liela Haley, of Juneau; and two brothers, Patrick and Richard Haley, both of Juneau.
A service will be held at a later date. The family may be contacted at funkinlou72@yahoo.com.
Terie Ann Sawyer
Juneau resident Terie Ann Sawyer died at 8 p.m. Dec. 9, 2008, at the Virginia Mason hospital in Washington. She was 47.
Born Jan. 14, 1961, she was a devoted and loving friend, according to her friend, Cheryl Lewis.
"She will be missed dearly, especially by Cheryl and 'Snow,'" Lewis said.
Kim Marie Paris-Hegar
Juneau and Petersburg resident Kim Marie Paris-Hegar died Jan. 11, 2009, in Zihuantenajo, Mexico. She was 37.
Memorial services will be held in Juneau at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, at the Hangar Ballroom, and in Petersburg at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, at The Moose Lodge.
Ricky Shane Sumdum
Former seasonal Juneau resident Ricky Shane Sumdum died Jan. 3, 2009, in Anchorage. He was 50.
Born Oct. 20, 1958, he was a fisherman and stevedoring log ship. An Eagle/Bear of the Chooka-neidee clan, his Tlingit name was Jeet.
He attended school in Portland, Ore. He was a Huna Totem Corp., Sealaska Corp. and Goldbelt shareholder.
He was preceded in death by his father, Charlie Pete Sumdum; and mother, Elizabeth Johnnie Murphy.
He is survived by his sisters, Janice Bennett, Charlene Austin, Renae McLean, Twila Murphy and Kathleen Parks; adopted sister, Mona Brown; and brothers, Christopher Sumdum and Miles Murphy III.
Honorary pallbearers will be John Wilson, Ray Wilson, Donny Wilson, Lillian Hillman, Tina Martin, Jacob White, Kenneth Grant and Florence Bennett.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, at the Tlingit & Haida Vocational Training and Resource Center.
To make donations for funeral expenses, contact Janice Bennett at 321-2627.
