Cindy Lee Knox

Cindy Lee Knox, 52, died May 7, 2011, unexpectedly but peacefully, at her home on Lazy Mountain in Palmer after a courageous eight-year battle with cancer.

Cindy was born July 25, 1958, in Denver, Colo., and arrived in Alaska with her parents in 1959. She was in the first graduating class of Bartlett High School and worked many years for the state of Alaska and at Elmendorf Air Force Base.

Cindy touched the lives of many people with her arts and crafts gifts and her determination to win her battle all the way to the end. She was a Master Gardener and was extremely well known statewide for her green thumb. She loved music, arts and crafts, the great outdoors, being with family, having fun with friends and her cats. She had a fiery spirit with a good heart, and would give anyone the shirt off her back — which she actually did twice, having to ride home from Anchorage in her bra!

She was the eldest of two children and is survived by her beloved husband of more than 20 years, Jim Ball. Surviving also are her son, Sean Ralls; treasured grandchildren, Alessandro Mauricio Ralls and Ana Marie Ralls; parents, Bill and Mary Knox; devoted brother and his wife, Richard “Skip” Knox and Gina Knox; nieces, Laline and Shelby Knox, Kimra and Lorissa Delia, Milissa and her husband William Vent; nephew, Vince Delia; mother- and father-in-law, Alvin and Marguitte Ball; in-laws, Ed Ball, Rod and Bonnie, Dennis and Sue, Jerry and Laurie, Carl and Marsha; her loyal and “always there” uncle, Johnny Martinez; special friends, Ed Wildman and Jamella Swanson; and countless other friends and family who were blessed to know her.

The family wishes to thank the many people who have traveled to Alaska and offered help and support during this difficult time.

Friends and family are invited to attend a visitation and memorial service on Saturday, May 14, at Kehl’s Funeral Home, 209 S. Alaska Way, Palmer. Visitation begins at noon, a service and open floor discussion to share experiences with her is at 1 p.m., and following that there will be a gathering at Jim and Cindy’s home to celebrate her life.

In keeping with her wishes, at an undisclosed date her ashes will be spread over Pioneer Peak so she can look over her family and the Valley that she loved.

Flowers can be sent to Kehl’s prior to the service and the family requests any donations be sent to the American Cancer Society on behalf of Cindy Knox.