| Welcome | The Run | Resources | Grants | Donors | Photos | Contacts |
In Memoriam
|
Race Day |
This page is dedicated to those who have fought bravely and have passed on but have left a loving impression in our hearts.
If you would like to remember a friend or loved one with a tribute on this page, please email your submission to Kathy Wisthoff.
Marjean Dunaway
Click to enlarge
Breast
cancer survivor Marjean Dunaway passed away Oct. 30, 2006.
She participated in every Alaska Run for Women event
except the first year.
Each year she was recognizable by wearing bib number 1.
That bib has now been retired.
Etta Mae McKinsey
Breast cancer survivor Etta Mae
McKinsey was a mother, grandmother,
and great grandmother.
She passed away in 1997 of natural causes at the age of 87.
Michelle Degnan
Michelle was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 31
and passed away at 35 years of age. Her son was just
approaching his first birthday when she was diagnosed and
her daughter was five. She was a fighter all the way and we
dearly miss her laughter and friendship.
She will always be in our hearts.
From her friends,
Frances Jones and Elizabeth Hansen
Susie Keisor
O'Brien
Click to
enlarge.
My sister, Susie, was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 35
and lost her battle at age 39. She left behind a husband and
2 daughters, ages 12 and 16. She's been gone since 1996 and
we continue to miss her dearly.
Participating in the Alaska
Run for Women is one way that we honor her memory.
Always in our hearts, Kathy Wisthoff
Marguerite Wisthoff LeMay
My mom was a 15-year breast cancer survivor when she was
diagnosed with a recurrence two years ago. She participated
in the 2006 Alaska Run for Women last June (in her
wheelchair) and passed away in September 2006. She left 8
children and many many grandchildren and great-grandchildren
who miss her fun-loving spirit and great sense of humor.
Jay Wisthoff
Sharon Yerbich
Click to
enlarge.
For
many years Sharon Yerbich thought she had beat breast
cancer, but sadly it returned. She fought hard with
metastatic cancer, but lost her battle on March 1, 2007.
Sharon was a founding member of Alaska Breast Cancer
Advocacy Partners (ABCAP) in 1999 and frequently traveled to
Washington D.C. to advocate for research dollars to find a
cure. Sharon was a frequent attendee at many breast cancer
events and support activities in Anchorage.
She was a loving
person who is sadly missed by her friends and family.
Carla Williams
Maureen Rooks
April
6, 1964 - November 1, 2007
Diagnosed at age 37, passed away at 43.
Strong enough for the Air Force, but lost the battle of breast
cancer.
"Moe" daughter, sister, aunt, cousin and friend to many, will
forever be in our hearts and memories.
We participate in the Alaska Women's Run in her honor.
Susie Holly
Beverly
Englishbee
Beverly
Englishbee died from breast cancer on June 18, 2007 at the
age of 66. She left on this earth a legacy of love, which
continues to grow in each life ever touched by her. Her room-brightening smile is missed, but once in a while, we see a
glimpse of it in our dreams.
We miss you, Mom – Loretta
Sara Sullivan
My cousin Sara Sullivan was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 28 in February 2009 and died on September 22, 2009, just a few days short of her 29th birthday. She left behind a loving husband Brady who is a fighter pilot in the US Air Force and a darling daughter who was born weeks before her mom passed. Sara was the most positive person I know and she knew that she would be in a better place once her journey was over. She is missed by so many people as she made such an impact on so many lives.
Anna Ezzell
My aunt Anna Ezzell was an awesome lady who was diagnosed with breast cancer, had a mastectomy, beat it and watched it return and finally it took her life on December 24, 2009. She was fighter until the end and chose to pass at home with her family rather than in a hospital bed alone.
I am participating in this
year’s event as a way to honor both of these women and as a
way to show the special place they have in my heart.
Courtney Bridges
Deborah Christy Marijanovich - Solomon
My sister Christy was a talented and driven young woman. She played flute in Jr. High, High School and college, always made good grades, had lots of friends and earned her bachelor's degree in education in Texas. After marriage she and her husband had two sons, the first (Bobby) was born with a severe heart defect and wasn't expected to live for two or three months. He endured 4 or more heart surgeries throughout his early childhood. After the stress of constant medical attention for her son, a divorce and a long battle with depression and Bipolar Disorder, Christy took her own life on July 26th, 1993. Bobby out-lived his mother by several years before his heart finally gave out at age sixteen. Her second son Mike (now an adult) lives in Michigan battling Bipolar Disorder himself.
I dedicate my volunteer work on the Alaska Run For Women Website to Christy and Bobby.
Greg Solomon
Alice Witte
Alice Witte was my high school track and field coach and an amazing mentor and friend. She was also an inspirational volleyball coach and "Play Like Crazy" was her personal mantra embraced by all of her athletes, no matter what sport she supported us in.
Alice passed away from breast cancer in 1994. The gymnasium in
the Homer High School is dedicated to her and named in her
honor. As a survivor, I run this race in her memory and for her
influence for us all to "play like crazy."
In loving respect and memory,
Benita Raymond
Pamela Amundson
My daughter and I are excited to do the Run
for Women for the first time this year in memory of my mother,
Pamela. Misdiagnosed initially, she eventually fought an 8-year
battle with breast cancer before passing away at age 39. She is
greatly missed by her children who lost her too soon.
We hope with awareness and early detection, more mothers will be
saved.
Michele & Britany Walters
Karen Gregg
January 3, 1956 – March 21, 2010
Karen had a mammogram in June of 2009 and told it was normal.
In September she felt something in her left breast,
the Doctor told her it was just cartilage.
In October she got a cough and had trouble breathing; they gave
her breathing treatments with an O2 level in the 80’. She was
admitted in the hospital for pneumonia.
A few days later a test showed she had metastatic breast cancer;
it had spread to her lungs.
She was in the hospital for quite some time and in March an MRI
showed
the cancer had spread to her brain. From diagnoses to our
loss... 6 months.
She is missed by so many:
Her family, her friends, her mom, Lynn Hobson (a breast cancer
survivor)
and all those who ever came in contact with her.
She was the most wonderful person one could ever know.
Her smile and personality would light up a room,
and she could make everyone feel welcome.
Karen we love you and will forever!
K2, The Hobson & Gregg Families and all her many friends
Lorena Frost
My
daughter and I will be participating in our first Alaska Run for
Women in honor of Lorena Frost. She lost her year-and-a-half
long battle with triple negative breast cancer on June 5, 2010.
She was an awesome wife, mother of 4 daughters, grandmother of 2
girls, and a friend to many. Her transparent faith in the Lord
she knew so well allowed her to make a significant difference in
her short life. Her legacy lives on through her family and in
the many people whose lives she touched.
Remembered Always,
Cheryl and Laney Tatom
Michele Thornton
In
loving memory of my Aunt Michele!
Michele Thornton passed away in Sept of 2009
after a 2.5 year battle with breast cancer.
She is loved and missed dearly! She left a lasting
legacy of loving the Lord your God with all your heart,
mind and soul. Loving your neighbor as yourself, and investing
all you can into your marriage and children.
I miss you Aunt Shell! This one's for you!!!
Lorraine Kivi
Lorraine was a wonderful woman with a compassionate heart.
Her caring nature extended beyond her immediate family to
the foster children (human and animals) she raised. Although
I was not her biological granddaughter, she treated me as
one just the same. This was indicative of her nature She
passed away today from breast cancer as have many of her
family before her. They carry the cox II gene.
Unfortunately for so many that is a death by cancer
sentence.
We hope that someday this is no longer a fact.
My fencing team will be walking in her honor, Jacquie
Johnson
Gladys Linda Davis
Gladys was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003 at the age of 53,
passing October 23, 2007.
Gladys was the heart of MEA, for 38 years she used her voice to
find solutions for customer’s problems quickly. Her demeanor was
bubbly and always warm and caring. A lifelong Palmer resident
she was a member of the Palmer Elks, the Moose and involved with
Valley Alzheimer’s, Relay for Life and the
American Cancer Society Daffodil Days.
Gladys was a very special person, greatly missed by her many
friends and acquaintances. Today we honor her memory and provide
remembrance
to all that she was to us.
Susan Musgrove
Jen Jones
Jennifer Jones is the daughter of our life time friends, George
and Funa Hornberger. After Funa had been treated for breast
cancer, her first born daughter was diagnosed. Jen was in her
early thirties, a college graduate and school teacher, and a
loving wife and mother. She was an artist and especially enjoyed
beading. One of her projects is a beaded quilt that was made by
Jen and her family and friends, and now hangs in the Providence
Oncology unit. Jen was raised with traditional Alaskan values
and ensured that these and Christian values were passed onto her
children. One of the more amazing things about Jen was the way
she was able to rise to the emotional challenge of dying with
grace and love. A few summers ago, Jen and her children, Funa, a
friend and I gaily walked the race together in pink party hats
and shirts.
Cheers to the memory of Jen!
Deedee Raymond
Janelle Cowan
In the 2011 Run for Women, I am recognizing my dear friend Janelle Cowan who passed away six years ago of breast cancer, after battling for 12 years. The photo is of Janelle on the left and her friends Susan and Linda enjoying a weekend on the Kenai River shortly before she passed away.
Linda Robinson
Alicia Figueroa
This is my mother, Alicia Figueroa, who passed away this year. After a long battle with cancer she finally took off her oxygen mask and asked to go home and pointed to the sky. I am doing the walk for her and all those who have lost the battle. She was the bravest woman I know, and my life is so empty without her.
I love you Mom with all my heart.
Love, your daughter, Alli