Lily Alford

Former Alaska resident Lily Osterback Alford, 99, died April 24, 2008, at home in Lake Stevens, Wash.
A memorial celebration of her life will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Bitterlake Community Center in Seattle, 13035 Linden Ave North.
She was born Feb. 10, 1909, in Cold Bay in the Shumagin Islands while her family was on a hunting trip. Her father dug a cave in the side of the hill for shelter on that frosty winter morning to deliver his baby girl. Oskar Alfred "Al" Osterback and Fackla Vereskin raised Lily and her eight siblings on isolated Wosnessenski Isle. Lily learned to hunt and fish and live a survivalist life - and had simple wants her whole life. Nothing made her happier than a good book, a warm sweater and a hot cup of tea. She left Alaska in 1942, but her love for her home island never left her and she always kept in touch with her extended family in Sandpoint, Dutch Harbor and Anchorage.
"Lily had some moments of fame in the early 1930s as the only 'Indian Girl' (she was half Aleut) to hold a ham radio license in the United States," her family recalled. "The Seattle PI and other mainland newspapers labeled her the 'Queen of the North.' She would communicate with people all over the world on the family's homemade transmitter and receiver; her call letters were K7ANQ.
"Lily was 'Mama' to her own children and to many others whom she loved and cared for over the years. Her can-do attitude was inspirational; she sought out the best in everyone and loved with her whole heart. She was admired and respected by all who were privileged to know her."
Lily was preceded in death by her husband, Harold T. "Red" Alford Sr., six siblings, Walter, Ida, Nora, Eleanor, Alvin and George; her daughter, Lea Bowen; and grandson, Jason Scholz.
She is survived by her baby sisters, Florence "Dewdy" Nettle and Pauline Calugan, both of Anchorage; daughters, Ilene Evans of Washington, Julie (Brad) Brousseau of Connecticut, and Connie Jerry of Texas; and stepsons, Harold Alford Jr. and Gerald Alford, both of Washington; six grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and four great-great grandchildren.
Flowers should be delivered to the Bitterlake Community Center on May 3 between 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Remembrances may be made to the American Heart Association. Friends who would like to send condolences may mail them to 2029 114th Dr. N.E., Lake Stevens, WA 98258.