Mary Pendleton

Lifelong Alaskan Mary B. Pendleton, 75, died March 15, 2010, surrounded by her family at her Anchorage home after a courageous battle with breast cancer.

A memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 20, at Witzleben Legacy Funeral Home. A visitation will be at 2 p.m. The location of a potluck reception at 5 p.m. will be announced at the service. Pastor Glenn Clary of Anchorage Baptist Temple will officiate. Honorary pallbearers are Russ Bright, Raymond, Jonathon and Riley Villard, Jeremy Moore, Ryan Mihelich, Christopher and Ricky Pendleton and Gene Hrvatin. Her ashes will be interred with her husband, Jack Pendleton, at Fort Richardson National Cemetery at a later date.

Mary was born June 10, 1934, in Ketchikan to Victor and Minnie (Eaton) Ecklund. She attended Mt. Edgecumbe Boarding School in Sitka.

Mary was a second-generation Alaskan and lived in Ketchikan from 1934 to 1957; in Seward from 1957 to 1958; returning to Ketchikan from 1959 to 1971; and in Anchorage from 1971 until her death.

Mary met her husband Jack on New Year's Eve 1955 and they were married less than two months later on Feb. 17, 1956. They celebrated 47 anniversaries before Jack's death on Feb. 21, 2003.

Mary loved children and worked as a day care provider for Anchorage Christian Nursery and Tanaina Child Development Center. She also was the day care provider for many of her grandchildren. Mary retired from the workforce in 2000. Mary was a member of the Anchorage Baptist Temple and a shareholder of Sealaska Corp.

Her family wrote, "Mary was very family oriented and her husband and children always came first. She enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren, reading, crossword puzzles and playing Scrabble. She would often have a jigsaw puzzle on a table, and when anybody would come over to visit, they would end up sitting with Mary and working on the puzzle.

She was 'Mom' and 'Grandma' to many, not just her own children and grandchildren. As a testament to Mary, she was lovingly cared for by her three daughters from the time she was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2009 until her death with one or more daughters with her at all times! And they were happy to be able to care for and spend time with her."

Her family would like to thank: Dr. Martin Tieva, Dr. Mark J. Thorndike, Jeanne Yeagle, PA, Dr. Soraya Aragundi and nurses, case managers of Alaska Native Medical Center who provided wonderful care to her and her family; Providence Hospice and all staff members, with special thanks to Amanda, Donna and Debora; Deborah Peterson, Certified Clinical Musician, whose flute music was so soothing to Mary and her family. The staff of Trinion Quality Care Services, with special thanks to Mary. A special thanks goes out to Dr. Feldman for taking care of Mary. Anyone we have forgotten to list, you know how much we appreciate you."

Mary is survived by her daughters, MaryAnn Bright and husband Russ, Janice Pendleton-Mihelich, Joyce Villard and husband Raymond; grandchildren, Jeremy, Lisa, Danielle and Beth Moore; Ryan Mihelich; Jonathon, Aimee, Riley and Jaren Villard; Christopher, Rebecca, Crystal and Ricky Pendleton; 16 great-grandchildren; sisters, Dorothy Hrvatin of Seattle, Isabell Banhart of Ketchikan, and Ruby Karaffa of Peters Creek; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack; son, Richard; sister, Edith Shedlosky; brother, Henry Ecklund; and great-grandson, Jacob Alexander Moore.

Memorials may be made to Providence Hospice, 3435 Tudor Road, Anchorage 99507, to the American Cancer Society, 3851 Piper St., Suite U240, Anchorage 99508, or, in her memory, a random act of kindness to someone in need or for a loved one.

Cards may be sent to the family at P.O. Box 141794, Anchorage 99514.

Arrangements are with Legacy Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Witzleben Bragaw Chapel.