MARCELLA J. TYGART

Anchorage resident Marcella J. Tygart, 83, died at her daughter’s home in Wasilla Jan. 3, 2008, surrounded by her family, following a brave battle with cancer.

A funeral will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 8, at the United Protestant Presbyterian Church (“Church of a Thousand Trees”) in Palmer, with Pastor Tom Hoffman officiating. Burial will take place at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 9, at Wasilla Aurora Cemetery.

Tygart was born April 6, 1924, in Charleston, Ark., to Jethroe and Loda Presley. She and her husband, George Tygart, came to Alaska with their children in 1953. Shortly after arriving they opened the Eastside Service Station. A few years later George became a business partner in the Yellow Cab Company. Marcella in the meantime completed her high school education and went on to gain secretarial skills and further her career. She worked for Sears for 21 years as executive secretary, and was executive secretary to the manager of Anchorage Transit System, where she retired.

Tygart contributed her time and artistic talent to many Anchorage Emblem Club projects, and her talented fingers were always busy making beautiful heirlooms for her family and friends. She was a member of the Wasilla Homemakers Club and enjoyed the monthly meetings and projects of the club. She was a member of Anchorage Baptist Temple and attended Baptist services most of her life.

Her family wrote: “Marcella (Marcie to her friends and Memo to her grandchildren) warmed our hearts with the time and love she devoted to us. Seldom did a visitor leave her home without a memento that she made especially for them. Yearly birthday and holiday gatherings were anticipated by friends and family.

A perfect day for Marcella was a bright summer day. She would spend the day taking care of her beautiful flowers and yard. To complete her perfect day would be for her to spend time talking on the phone and visiting in person with her friends and relatives. She was dearly loved and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.”

A special New Year’s treat for Tygart was arranged by her grandson, Martin James. Family and friends went on a ride through Wasilla and Settler’s Bay in “The Magic Bus” with flowers, champagne and music.

She was preceded in death by brothers Ronald D. Presley and Nelson Presley, and sister, Lova Z. Davis.

Survivors are her daughter, Lova J. O’Shea of Wasilla; son and daughter-in-law George R. and Venus Tygart of Napa, Calif.; grandsons Martin E. James of Chugiak, Christopher D. and Jason T. Tygart of Napa, Steve P. O’Shea and Michael R. O’Shea of Seattle; great grandsons Kyle and Kody Tygart of Napa; great granddaughters Scharri A. James of Ft. Mitchell, Alabama, and Summer A. Tygart of Napa; son-in-law Roland W. O’Shea of Wasilla; sister and brother-in-law Sunny B. and James Snyder of Houston, Texas; brother and sister-in-law Hope and Betty Presley of Charleston, Ark.; and adopted daughter Gay W. Odsather of Anchorage.

Memorial donations may be made to Mat-Su Regional Homecare & Hospice, 950 E. Bogard Road, Wasilla 99654, or to the Anchorage Emblem Club #329, P.O. Box 100640, Anchorage, AK 99510.

Arrangements are with Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel of Wasilla.