Emily Ruby Olson

Emily Ruby Olson, 61, a Clarks Point and Wasilla resident, died Jan. 3, 2011, after a courageous battle with heart complications.

A celebration of life service in Emily’s honor for family and friends will be held at 2 p.m., Jan. 10 at Wasilla Christian Church with a potluck gathering of family and friends at the family home in Wasilla. Please bring a favorite dish to share

Emily was born July 1, 1949, in Clarks Point to Ricardo and Anita (Iyuptullria) Lopez. She worked for the Environmental Protection Agency as the coordinator for Clarks Point, and she was also a commercial fisherwoman who enjoyed her work.

She graduated from Dillingham High School and University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Her family said Emily was someone who loved beachcombing and berry picking, and also enjoyed crocheting and subsistence gathering. She especially enjoyed her many adventures on her boat excursions on the fishing vessel Miss Emily. She was a member of the Catholic Church who will be fondly loved and missed by her family and friends she made along her life journey.

Emily is survived by her husband, Lawrence D. Olson of Clarks Point; daughters, Anita East, Renetta Haggard, Heather and Vanessa Olson; and sons, Paul E. Briggs and Dustin Slagg. She is also survived by her sisters, Lisa (Max) Dolchok, Gladys Cochran, Anecia (John) Brieby and Nena (Jim) Larsen; and brothers, Richard (Bonnie) Lopez, Pedro Lopez and Mikki (Karen) Lopez.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ricardo and Anita Lopez; sister, Mary; uncle, Euiyuk; and grandchildren Link and Paige. She was also preceded by her niece, Blenda Herman; and nephews, Bug a Bugs and Raino Dolchok.

A memorial service will be held in Dillingham at a later date for family and friends.

The family suggests memorials in her honor be made to the Wells Fargo Bank C/O Heather Olson.

The family was cared for by Valley Funeral Home and Crematory of Wasilla.