Eloise Lamb

Eloise Lamb, 98, passed away / went to be with the Lord / in early morning on Friday, May 10th, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center after a short illness. She had dementia for many years but could still recognize and remember some people. She went blind three(3) years ago, but still maintained her cheerful demeanor until a few days before her passing. She was born in Yakima, WA and lived there with her parents, Arthur and Charlotte Mackey, brother Chuck, and cousin B.J., until she went away to college. She graduated from Univ. of Washington in 1947, joined the Catholic Church and married her 1st husband in 1949, then had 4 children in 5 years (1950-1955): David(Laura), Pat(Jane), Nancy (Frank) and Tim (Sabrina). She brought the 4 children to Alaska in 1957 while trying to save her marriage. Her 1st marriage ended in 1958 or 59. Meanwhile she used her degree in Sociology to do Social work for the State of Alaska, from 1958 to 1971 when she retired. She met & married Johnny Lamb in 1961, and he proceeded to lead her on many adventures including moose hunting on their honeymoon, taking a huge boat down the Mississippi (and sinking it in the Gulf of Mexico), living and commercial fishing in Yakutat, Ak, and farming/ranching in Arkansas. They returned to live in Washington from 1977 to 1997, then came back to Alaska to live permanently. In the interim they spent many winters in Arizona. Eloise had left her faith in 1961, and renewed it in 1972, then desired a closer relationship with the Lord and in 1977 started attending a church that met in an earth-sheltered house in an orchard in Wapato (close to Yakima) which later became part of the Evangelical Orthodox Church, and in 1987 entered the Antiochian Orthodox Church with a large group of other churches. Then when Eloise and Johnny moved back to Alaska she faithfully attended St. John Orthodox Church in Eagle River. Eloise had many friends and relatives in AK, WA & AZ, some of it because she would listen and offer help. Her last 4 years were spent in the Assisted Living Program at the Chugiak-Eagle River Senior Center on Birchwood Road. She was thankful for such a great facility and was appreciative of the staff who took good care of her up to the end. She was predeceased by her parents, brother & cousin, and by her husband Johnny (2003) and beloved grandson, Alex (2023). She is survived by her 4 children, and by her ten grandchildren: John, Josh(Leslie), SerAnna(Craig), Joe(Hillary), Peter(Karen), Mara (Eddie), Eli (Skyla), Katelin (Marc), Garrett(Howard),and Charlie. And also survived by 12 great-grandchildren: Gabe, Lauren, Mikell, Lauren, Madison, Luke, Henry, Silas, Forrest, Zygmund, Patrick & Ben, And by Mary Levy, her closest friend since their days as co-workers in Anchorage. The Funeral will be at Saint John Orthodox Christian Cathedral on Monastery Drive in Eagle River on Thursday, May 16th. Priests serving are Father Robert & Father Marc, Deacons are Joseph, Kevin & Pat (her son). Since she passed away in Orthodox Bright week (the week after Pascha/Easter on Orthodox calendar), The service will be somewhat shorter than usual with special verses being sung/chanted, Visitation will be at 3:30 with volunteers reading the Psalms, then Funeral at 4:30 with burial across the street at the St.John's cemetery after the funeral, and a 'mercy meal' in the Sts.Mary & Martha fellowship hall downstairs with an opportunity to share remembrances. For those friends and family who are not able to come to the service, it will be live-streamed at StJohnAlaska.org.