Jessica Sue Mattison, 61, died Nov. 11 at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer. She was born Feb. 25, 1948 in Cadillac, Mich., to Leo and Virginia Mattison. 

In the mid-1960s Jessica completed her education in nursing and had a love for working with and helping terminally ill patients. Although her formal education was in nursing, there never seemed to be a subject she didn’t read books on to self-educate. As Jessica’s mother grew ill, she dedicated her time to caring for Virginia in her final months. In 1980, after Virginia’s passing, Jessica and her husband Don moved to Alaska living here together for more than 30 years and worked on several businesses together.

Jessica was a strong-willed social activist in the late ’60s and early ’70s who would always stand her ground for what she believed in. She was a champion of civil liberties for all groups of people; fearless in her convictions even if resulting in putting herself in harm’s way. In the early ‘70s she joined the women’s activist movement and became extremely involved with many women’s groups working toward women’s rights. She touched the lives of everyone she met; she wanted nothing more than for every man, women and child to be treated equally.  In her remaining years, Jessica stayed consistent with her strong political beliefs by always helping anyone that she was able to.

Jessica is survived by the love of her life, Don Pagel; sister, Jill of Michigan and brother, Joe of Alaska. She also leaves behind two nieces, a great number of aunts, uncles and cousins; and numerous friends all of whom she loved very much.

Valley Funeral Home is caring for the family.