Katherine Riddell Love

Katherine “Kay” Riddell Love, 95, was born in Portland, Ore., 1913, one of twin daughters of Clyde and Jesse Riddell. On April 4 Kay died of heart failure at Mat-Su Regional Hospital, four months before celebrating 96 years dedicated to family, work, art, adventure and to her community. A celebration of life will be held at the United Protestant Church, 713 S. Denali St., Palmer, May 3 from 2 to 5 p.m. In place of memorial donations, a silent auction of Kay’s paintings and collectibles will take place. Proceeds from the auction will be donated to organizations Kay supported.

Kay was a teenager during the Great Depression and learned to make her way against adversities. She graduated from Battle Ground High School in Washington, and Burnley School of Art in Seattle. Later in the ‘60s she attended the Art Students League of New York. She was the second Alaskan to study there after Harvey Goodale. Fred Machentanz was the third.

During World War II Kay married Sterling T. Love who was serving in the Army Air Corps. They were living in California where her son, Steven and daughter Kathy were born. After a divorce, Kay found adventurous ways to support her family. In Washington state she was a “look-out” on Three Corner Rock, where she took her children, and on Pinnacle Peak. Her duty was to watch for fires and enemy aircraft during the Cold War.

She continued to work for the Forest Service as an engineering draftsman.

In 1955 she came to Alaska to visit her brother and two years later moved to Anchorage with her children. She was employed by the Civil Aeronautics Authority which became the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA).

After her children had graduated from school Kay went to New York to study art for a year. Upon her return to Anchorage she started working for the U.S. Public Health Service. As reported by the Tri Valley Cultural Arts Association she worked in many areas — general illustrations, medical drawings, architectural, still life and design. Her work was published in several medical journals. She was illustrator for “Primary Health Care in Rural Alaska.” This book became the bible for health care in clinics throughout Alaska and was placed on permanent display in the Smithsonian Institute. Kay designed the logos for the Alaska Native Corporation, and in 1971 the Anchorage Fine Arts Museum purchased her watercolor of “Community House, Gambell” for their permanent collection.

Homesteading was just another chapter in Kay’s life. During the years 1961 to 1963 she lived in a small trailer up the south fork of the Eagle River Valley while she “proved-up” the homestead she had acquired. Ten years later she moved into Rosalie Stuart’s place, known as the Whittle Shop overlooking the Matanuska and Knik valleys. In 1976 she retired from the Alaska Native Health Service to a life of volunteerism and community service.

Having lived here before statehood was declared; Kay had a great interest in preservation of history. Through the ‘80s she was active on the board of the Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry. For many years she served on the boards of both the Wasilla-Knik Historical Society and the Palmer Historical Society. She also served on the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Historical Preservation Commission. In addition to serving on various boards Kay has left her art for history. She created numerous logos for various non-profit organizations, as well as painting eight illustrations for the AlCan Highway ’92 project and donated them to the Tok Visitor Center.

Kay served a term as president of the Pioneers of Alaska Igloo #11. She was also a volunteer for the food bank, Friends of Family, and a volunteer advocate for the Office of Children’s Services. Remarkably, her commitment to community continued as her 96th birthday neared. She had been active in the Raise-A-Reader program through the Alaskan Association for Family and Community Education (FCE), and in 2004 a book “Mama Bear the Reader,” which she wrote and illustrated, was published. This book was dedicated to Barbara Butcher and through FCE 20,000 copies were given out to babies throughout Alaska. At age 95 Kay saw her second book published “Mama Bear the Reader and the Purple Honeybee.” It was dedicated to Leisa Carrick, co-pastor of the United Protestant Church of Palmer of which Kay was an active member and volunteer.

During her 30 years of volunteer service in the community, Kay received many awards of recognition and appreciation. Her most recent honors were a Proclamation from the Alaska Legislature and from the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, recognizing Kay’s accomplishments and impact on her community and state. Lastly, Kay was one of the 2007 recipients of Governor Palin’s Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award.

Kay was preceded in death by her brother, Roger A. Riddell, sisters, Mary R. Martin, Caroline R. Sherrieb, and twin sister, Angeline R. MacKenzie.

Kay is survived by her son, Steven Love, daughter, Kathy Seim, son-in-law, Darwin Seim, grand-daughter, Kara Seim O’Ryan, grandson-in-law, Daniel O’Ryan, grandson, Olaus Seim, four great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Arrangements are with Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel in Wasilla.