Edna Linnea Williams

Longtime Juneau resident, Edna Linnea Williams, died peacefully April 18 in Juneau, at the age of 90. She was born October 2, 1920, in Seattle, Washington, to Swedish immigrants, Gustaf and Hulda Almquist. She first moved to Juneau with her parents in 1926. Her father owned and operated a tailor shop in Juneau and served one term in the Alaska Territorial Legislature. The family returned to Seattle for a number of years in the 1930's and Edna graduated from West Seattle High School in 1938. In 1940, after attending business school, Edna returned to Juneau, where she resided for the rest of her life.

Edna married Dean Williams in 1943 at Northern Light Church in Juneau. Their wedding reception was held at the Baranof Hotel. Except for one year during WWII when Dean was serving in the military, Edna and Dean returned to the Baranof to celebrate each of their 67 wedding anniversaries. Edna and Dean's two children, Janice and Gordy, were born and raised in Juneau.

Over the years, Edna worked for various federal and territorial agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service and the Alaska Game Commission, and served for 23 years as office manager for the Juneau Chamber of Commerce. In 1980, when the Juneau Convention and Visitors Bureau (JCVB) was formed, Edna became the bureau's Coordinator of Volunteers and served in that position until her retirement in 1990. In that capacity, and for many subsequent years as a JCVB volunteer, she welcomed thousands of visitors to Juneau. She was also a great ambassador and tourism promoter for Juneau in her own many travels around the U.S. and the world.

In 1983, the Alaska Visitors Association named Edna their Citizen of the Year. In 2006, Edna and Dean were honored to serve as Grand Marshalls of the Juneau 4th of July parade and, in 2008, were awarded a Meritorious Service Award by the University of Alaska Southeast.

Well known for her thoughtful, sweet, fun personality, Edna was dearly loved and admired by her family and large circle of friends. She was a long-time member of Northern Light United Church, PEO Chapter D, Pioneers Auxiliary #6, and Rebekah Lodge. She enjoyed traveling, fishing, and spending time with her friends and family. For the final year of her life, Edna resided at the Juneau Pioneers Home. While living there, she enjoyed time with old and new friends, and with the wonderful staff who became extended family to Edna.

Edna is survived by her husband, Dean; daughter Janice (John) Burgman of Gardnerville, Nevada; son Gordy Williams (Mary McDowell) of Juneau and Angoon; and grandson David Goodwin (Jill Packman) and great grandson Cooper Goodwin of Carson City, Nevada.

A celebration of Edna's life will be held at Northern Light United Church on Friday, May 6th at 3 PM. A reception will follow.

A memorial scholarship fund in Edna's name is being established to award a scholarship each year to a woman pursuing continuing education at the Juneau campus of the University of Alaska – Southeast. Memorial donations to the scholarship fund may be sent to PEO Chapter D, c/o Laurie Longsdon, P. O. Box 33613, Juneau, AK 99803.