Elaine Ethel Dunlap

Elaine Ethel Dunlap (formerly Elaine Alward), 67, a 52-year resident of Alaska, died May 3, 2011, in Phoenix, Ariz., of ovarian cancer. She had been in remission since November 2007.

Elaine was born to Wilford and Ethel Pettis in Saint Paul, Minn., on Dec. 6, 1943. She moved to Alaska in June 1952 when she was 8 years old. She attended Anchorage High School.

She married David Alward of Willow and had five children, four of whom reside in Anchorage, Eagle River and Palmer.

In 1993, Elaine married Jerry Dunlap in Anchorage. Jerry, originally from Yakima, Wash., and Elaine spent their time living in Anchorage and Wasilla and eventually resided in Tucson, Ariz.

Elaine spent the majority of her life as a homemaker and later worked as a bookkeeper at Bush Landscaping and at Harbor Adjustments.

A fantastic mother who loved her children and grandchildren, Elaine was a warm, compassionate and generous person. After moving Outside, she and Jerry, who works in the oil and gas industry, enjoyed traveling around the country.

Elaine is survived by Charlie Pettis of Big Lake; Eunice and Bill Emswiler of Katie, Texas; Delmar and Gladys Pettis of LaCrosse, Wis.; her children, Joe and Corrine Alward, Jerry and Annette Alward, Jason Alward and Sandy Stanek-Alward, and Alaina and Bryan Anderson. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Jake, Megan, Taylor, Avery and Grayson; and many nieces and nephews.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Charlene Alward; brother, Eldon Pettis; and brother, Lyle Pettis.

At the age of 5, Elaine had hip surgery, which was graciously donated by the Shriners. As a result, and in lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children on behalf of Elaine Dunlap.

The family is holding a celebration of life on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. A potluck will follow and the family requests bringing a dish to share. The event will be held at Tanglewood Resort Chalet on the frontage road of the New Seward Highway between Huffman and O'Malley.