Alyson Elaine Bartz

Alyson Elaine Bartz

Alyson Elaine Bartz, 16, of Palmer, passed away in the arms of her mother and right beside her father at Providence Medical Center, Nov. 30, 2021, at 8:46 p.m.in Anchorage.

Alyson was born Feb. 4, 2005, at Valley Hospital in Palmer, and was transported to Providence Medical Center in Anchorage, where she spent the first five weeks of her life in the Providence NICU. Alyson was not just a child who experienced special needs, Alyson was a special child. She experienced cerebral palsy, mitochondrial disfunction and a neurological condition. With the help of caregivers and her family, Alyson overcame many obstacles and fought many battles. A doctor who treated her early in her life said Alyson would not see her first birthday. But Alyson gifted her family with 16 birthdays.

In addition to her friends and family, Alyson loved Tinkerbell, lady bugs, music, her dog, Wrigley, and her cats, Rizzo and Rossi.

Alyson attended Swanson Elementary and Sherrod Elementary; and was part of the homebound education program at Palmer Junior Middle School and Mat-Su Central.

Alyson is survived by her proud parents, Jeremiah and Amber, of Palmer; adoring sister, Abigayle, of Palmer; paternal grandparents Joseph and Helen Bartz, of Palmer; maternal grandparents Ronald and Rebecca Ratterree, of Wasilla; uncle Joseph Bartz, of Anchorage; first-cousins, Elaina and Joseph Bartz, of Anchorage; aunt Megan Peratrovich, of Palmer; uncle Bryan Ratterree, of Oregon; godmother Meg Brainard, of Gold Hill, Oregon; great aunt Vickie Reese, of Wasilla, and numerous other loving great aunts and uncles, and extended relatives.

Alyson is loved by many. The list includes nurses and caregivers Sharon Pleier, Angie Thursby, Pollyanna Stewart, Kimberly Trent, Cindy Morrow, Carol Johnson, Megan Peratrovich and Rayna Peterson.

Alyson’s family would also like to thank Dr. Elowyn Smith for her care and support of Alyson since her day of birth, and everyone at Ptarmigan Pediatrics and Ptarmigan Connections; her team at Seattle Children’s Hospital, especially Dr. Greg Redding and Dr. Russell Saneto; Dr. Roderic Smith of the Providence Pediatric Subspecialty Clinic; and the Providence Medical Center’s PICU staff for their care of Alyson on the final day of her life.

Another thank you to Kehl’s Legacy Funeral Home, who is assisting in a time of grief.

Alyson’s family also wants to thank friends and family for the love and support.

Alyson’s celebration of life is Dec.14 at 6 p.m. at the Palmer Seventh-day Adventist Church, located at 2238 Inner Springer Loop.