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Jodi Lee Pfeiffer
JODI LEE PFEIFFER, age 48, of Wasilla, fought cancer valiantly and with dignity but ultimately succumbed, passing peacefully in her home among family on June 16, 2022.
Born September 25, 1973 she grew up in Saint Clair Shores, Michigan where she met and married her childhood sweetheart, embarking on a 27-year marriage. Her passion for service and helping others led her to complete an Associate degree through Macomb Community College as a Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA). She truly loved the profession and devoted countless hours in continuing education and worked in numerous settings across 5 states before coming to Alaska in 2006 where she dedicated 10 years to the Matanuska-Susitna School District, achieving advanced proficiency in pediatrics. During her time in Alaska, she became a leader in the Alaska chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) serving as both the Treasurer and the Alaska PTA Caucus Representative. Her professionalism and leadership in the field led her to be nationally recognized as the Physical Therapist Assistant of the year in 2018. Never one to rest on her laurels, she continued her stewardship of the profession by running for and being elected as a National PTA Caucus representative. In recognition of her hard work, competence and dedication to the profession, Alaska State Governor Dunleavy appointed Jodi to sit on the Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy licensing board. Jodi’s ultimate professional goal was becoming an educator which led her to complete a Master’s degree around a busy work-life schedule. Like other things in her life, Jodi met her goal, becoming the Program Director for the Physical Therapist Assistant program at the University of Alaska, Anchorage (UAA). Passing decades of knowledge onto the next generation was Jodi’s absolute passion. She was never happier than when developing young students who would eventually serve as the next Alaskan generation of PTAs.
Her commitment to service went above and beyond her professional life as demonstrated by her receiving the Commander’s Award for Public Service in recognition of her dedication to the Family Readiness Group of the 425th Brigade Special Troops Battalion in preparation for, during, and following a deployment to Afghanistan.
Above all of her professional accomplishments Jodi was the rock of the family at home. Being married to a military man often left her filling both parental roles in the household. Under that weight and responsibility, she never wavered or wilted, raising two exceptional young men. Jodi loved her children above all and would drop everything on a moment’s notice if they were in need. As a wife, she was steadfast in her support and never had a disparaging word during hard times. She was jovial, even keeled and had a passion for anything Star Wars or Disney. She will be missed beyond all measure.
Jodi leaves behind a loving family in her Husband, Brent; Son Jacob (Amber), Son Zachary; Parents Joseph and Clarice Bongiovanni; Brother, Joseph Bongiovanni and Grandson Reid.
Funeral services will be held at 2pm on 24 June 2022 at Sacred Hearts Church, 1201 East Bogard Road Wasilla, AK 99654.