Virginia Carter

Anchorage resident Virginia Kennelly Carter, 93, died on May 1, 2011, at the Anchorage Pioneer Home.

A private family service will be held at Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery.

Virginia was born December 3, 1917, in New York, N.Y., to Walter and Katherine Kennelly. She remained in New York until she joined the Coast Guard and met her future husband, James E. Carter Sr. They were married in 1946, and upon being discharged they were both hired by the Civil Aeronautics Administration in Alaska.

In 1961 Virginia went to work for the Defense Communication Agency on Elmendorf and retired in 1978. Always one to stay busy she went to work for JoAnn Fabrics six months later and finally retired in 1994. Virginia and Jim were divorced in 1981.

Virginia had a long list of contributions to the community. She was a lifelong member of the Pioneers of Alaska and was selected as their Queen Regent in 1993. She was a member of the Alaska Prospectors Society, Ushering in the Arts Group, the Senior Center and served with the Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau. She was selected as Volunteer of the Year in the city of Anchorage and was most proud of that recognition. Her volunteerism was a reflection of the person she was. Helping others and serving her community was her way of teaching her grandchildren the importance of being a contributing member of a community. Her grandchildren would join her as she went shopping every Thursday for residents of the Pioneer Home or delivered turkeys to Bean's Cafe.

One of the places she loved most was the family cabin on Rocky Lake. These were the best times for her as she would sit on the deck with her coffee surrounded by family and friends. The great memories of mom and "Granna" are embedded forever in the lives of her four children and eight grandchildren. Her 10 great-grandchildren will relive the memories through their parents.

Virginia is survived by her children, daughter Margie and Scott Nelson of Issaquah, Wash.; daughter, Kathi Humble of Peoria, Ariz.; son, James E. Carter Jr. of Anchorage; and daughter, Patsy and Mike Dunsmore of Anchorage; grandchildren Michael and K.C. Carter, Erin and Clint Homer, Jason and Tonya Dunsmore, Joel and Angela Carter, Melissa and Brian Saathoff, Erica and Jace Digel, Kristin Dunsmore and Lawren Carter; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Virginia's family would like to extend its gratitude to the staff at the Anchorage Pioneers Home for the wonderful care she received as a resident.