Alaska School Yearbooks by County
Melissa Liane Lewis
Former Juneau resident Melissa Liane Lewis, 36, died Dec. 14, 2004, surrounded by family and friends in Seattle, after being diagnosed with cancer in July.
She was born on April 30, 1968, in Midwest City, Okla., to Barbara and Jerry Lewis. She grew up in many places around the world following her Coast Guard father's career. She graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1989 with a degree in journalism. Upon graduation, she hosted "Good Morning Fairbanks" a daily television talk show - one of her many interesting careers.
She traveled extensively across the United States, as well as to many exotic destinations. Her family says, "Melissa loved the beach ... any beach and she loved being outdoors." She fed her outdoor fix by working on a halibut fishing charter out of Homer, rafting, skiing, playing hockey and softball and more. Her family says, "She'd try anything once."
Her adventuresome spirit led her to Seattle, where she sampled other careers including waiting tables, installing Coinstar machines, handing out chocolate truffle samples, and paying her dues at a desk job creating marketing proposals. In the end, she followed her heart and through research and perseverance she landed her dream job in pharmaceutical sales with Abbott Laboratories in Anchorage.
She lived in exciting locales, including a lighthouse in Maine and London.
She is survived by her parents, Barbara and Jerry Lewis; brothers Jerry, Mark (wife Teresa) and Chris (wife Maria); her sister, Caskie (husband Gerry Clapper); many nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. Her family and friends say, "She left behind too many friends to name, but will always be with them in spirit ... through a sandy beach, a beautiful tulip, red balloons, an icy Sprite or a cup of coffee with hazelnut cream!"
A celebration of her life will be held in Seattle in April 2005 and another in Homer on her birthday, April 30. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lance Armstrong's "LiveStrong" foundation by going to http://www.laf.org where you can donate to a memorial in her name.
Katherine Williams Beckett
Former Juneau resident Katherine Williams Beckett, 57, died Thursday, Dec. 30, 2004.
She was born May 14, 1947, in Juneau to Ralph and Ione Williams. She was a member of the Psi Chi Chapter of the National Honor Society in Psychology, American Psychotherapy Association and the Texas Psychological Association.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Beckett (Col. United States Air Force, Ret.).
She is survived by her son, Sean Beckett of Chesapeake, Va.; daughter, Erin Casey of Abilene, Texas; sister, Constance Johnson of Juneau; and four grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 6, 2005, at Charlie Marshall Funeral Home, 814 E. Main, Rockport, Texas, with former Chaplain Mary Spencer officiating.
Expressions of sympathy may be made, in lieu of flowers, by donations to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, 850 Sligo Avenue, Suite 800, Silver Spring, MD 20910, or online at http://www.phassociation.org
Jeanette Ruth (Brookman) Wells
Longtime Juneau resident Jeanette Ruth (Brookman) Wells, 71, died Dec. 24, 2004.
She was born Jan. 17, 1933, in Sitka to Al Brookman Sr. and Ollie (Oskolkoff) Brookman. She was a lifelong Alaskan and lived in Juneau for 44 years.
She especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. She was a Goldbelt and Sealaska shareholder. Although plagued with numerous health problems throughout her life, she always fought to maintain a normal life.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her son, Don Wells of Juneau; daughters, Lois Wells of Ivins, Utah; Sandra Wells of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; Joan Jones of Post Falls, Idaho; and Kathleen (Paul) Ogburn of Suquamish, Wash.; brothers, Richard (Jan) Brookman of Sitka; and Albert (Georgiene) Brookman Jr., of Orville, Calif.; sisters, Maryanne Barden of Boise, Idaho; Norma Benard of Anchorage; and Irene Hixson of Anchorage; 13 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Albin Fredrickson, Victor Jones, Ken Merculief, Joey Veasey, David Skrzynski and Stuart D'Cafangno.
Services will be held at 3 p.m. Jan. 6, 2005, at the Alaskan Memorial Park, 3839 Riverside Drive in Juneau. Memorials can be made in her name to: Wildflower Court, 2000 Salmon Creek Lane, Juneau, AK 99801-7801.
Lynne Louise Wunsch
Longtime Juneau resident, Lynne Louise Wunsch, 56, died Dec. 26, 2004, at her home of lung cancer.
She was born on April 19, 1948, in San Francisco, Calif., and spent her childhood in neighboring Pacifica, Calif., where she graduated from Terra Nova High School in 1966.
After a brief stint as a city-girl living in Las Vegas, Nev., she made the move to the wilds of Juneau and never looked back. She was very well known and respected in the banking and lending industry, working first in management at the Alaska State Credit Union, then moving on to the United Bank of Southeast Alaska, which later became National Bank of Alaska/Wells Fargo where she flourished in her chosen career as Business Banker and Assistant Vice President.
Her friends say, "Lynne loved banking and she loved people. She loved the hustle, the bustle, and the never-ending social interaction. Always willing to lend an ear, a hand, or a piece of her mind, she was naturally drawn to activities and organizations that helped others-too numerous to list."
She was best known for her early involvement with the American Cancer Society, Alaska Airlines Upgrade Program, and most recently, her volunteer work managing the travel reimbursement account for Cancer Connection.
Her close friends write, "Lynne was a kind-hearted generous woman, strong-willed, self-reliant, in-charge and quick-witted. Ever the able entertainer, she reveled in her Italian heritage and loved food: cooking it, serving it, forcing her many friends to partake of another glass of wine, another plate of food, or another bite of desert. She radiated true elegance and put the letter, 'C' in class. She will be missed by all whose lives she touched. Lynne, we love you."
She was preceded in death by her mother, Betty Frizza; and her brother, Randy Frizza.
She is survived by her grandmother, Kay Benney of Walnut Creek, Calif.; her father, Ettro Randall Frizza of Pacifica, Calif.; her sister, Christing Lombardi of Scottsdale, Ariz.; her nieces, Nicole Kasler of Pacifica, Calif., and Keli Channey of Phoenix, Ariz.; her nephew, Nathan Efestione of Phoenix, Ariz.; her fiancé, Dr. Tom Gundelfinger, D.C., of Juneau; and her "girls," the cats, Honey and Snicker.
A celebration of her life will be held at 3 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 15, 2005, at the SandBar and Grill, 2525 Industrial Boulevard in Juneau. All whose lives she touched are invited at Lynne's invitation "to eat, drink, be merry, and say some nice things."
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in memory of Lynne to: Cancer Connection, P.O. Box 20329, Juneau, AK 99802.
Amy Lou Barney
Lifelong Juneauite Amy Lou Barney died Monday, Dec. 27, 2004, at Providence Hospital in Anchorage.
