Claudia Feathergill

Girdwood resident Claudia Mark Feathergill, 56, died peacefully Dec. 6, 2007, in her husband's arms at Providence Alaska Medical Center after a long and courageous fight with cancer.
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Friday in the Kahiltna Room of the Alyeska Resort in Girdwood.
Claudia was born Aug. 4, 1951, in Montreal to Michael and Mary Marchitiello. She graduated from Holy Name High School in 1968 in Montreal. She then attended McGill University, obtaining a bachelor's degree in art history with first-class honors in 1972. At Princeton University, she pursued her graduate studies in fine arts, receiving a master's degree and a scholarship in 1975.
Her research in Europe included being a special guest at the Vatican Library in 1976.
She worked in the library at Princeton as a resource librarian and as a teaching assistant to several professors. Claudia was then appointed research assistant at the Institute of Advanced Studies. She was granted her Doctor of Philosophy in fine arts in 1991 from Princeton. Claudia was then appointed to a position in archive management at Walters Art Gallery in Baltimore. She spoke several languages, including French, English, Latin, Spanish and German.
Claudia was co-founder of a pharmaceutical research corporation. Its goal was to try to find medicines from Alaska plants.
"Her love of knowledge and history was immeasurable," her family wrote. "In August 1996, after a day of picking blueberries, Claudia went to Max's Bar and Grill in Girdwood for a glass of wine. There, she met manager Steve Feathergill. The next day, she brought him a basket of homemade blueberry muffins. A few days later, their official first date was a romantic motorcycle ride to Portage. They have been together and in love ever since. Claudia and Steve were married 11 years later in Bird Creek by close family friend Sharon Whitlock. Cooking and reading were Claudia's passions. She loved our 12-by-20 'Hippie Cabin,' with wood heat and no running water. It was our 'Cracker-box Palace.' Claudia set the best example with her never-ending love and kindness for others. She will be missed and loved, always."
Claudia is survived by her husband, Steve Feathergill of Girdwood; parents, Michael and Mary Marchitiello of Montreal; sister, Debbie Marchitiello of Montreal; and many aunts, uncles and cousins, all of Montreal.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Claudia's memory to LIFE Alaska, 235 E. Eighth Ave., Suite 100, Anchorage 99501.