Minnie Pelagio Smith

Minnie Ann Pelagio Smith, 64, died April 14, 2011, in Seattle, Wash., surrounded by her loving family.

Please join the family for a celebration-of-life memorial April 30 at 1 p.m. at First Covenant Church, 1145 C St., Anchorage. A potluck will be held immediately afterward.

Minnie was born May 30, 1946, in Kanakanak to Jacinto T. Sr. and Lucille Pelagio. She was one of eight siblings raised in Dillingham.

She spent many summers alongside her mother and sisters setnetting at Ekuk beach, while her father, brothers and relatives were involved in the driftnet fishery for years. Minnie graduated from Dillingham High School in 1964. After graduation, she married John, her long-time crush, and moved to Anchorage.

Minnie was extremely creative and talented; her many interests included traveling the world, camping, playing cards and games, and knitting beautiful hats and scarves. Minnie adored her granddaughters and was recently delighted to find out that another was on the way.

Minnie experienced respiratory problems that eventually turned into chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder. Suffering through many years of limited pulmonary function, Minnie was granted the gift of a donated lung. The young woman who generously chose to be an organ donor saved nine lives in one day, including Minnie's. Minnie was blessed to have been "gifted" eight extra years with family and friends.

As a request from Minnie's family, please consider becoming an organ donor.

Minnie is survived by her husband of 45 years, John W. Smith; son, Chris Smith of Anchorage; son, Stanley, his wife Stacey and granddaughter Kindra Smith of Kingston, Wash.; daughter, Jeweline and her husband Brent and granddaughters Bristol, Kylan and Jayce Lakshas of Anchorage; and Lloyd Cashen, his wife Katherine and granddaughter Isabella Smith of Palmer. She is also survived by her brother, Jacinto "JP" Pelagio of Wasilla; sisters, Dorothy Larson, Juanita Pelagio and Luanne Pelagio of Anchorage and Amelia Mainord of Oregon; many beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; and cherished friends and relatives.

Minnie was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Jeweline Pelagio; and brother, Donald Pelagio.