Maria Annette Chavez

Lifelong Alaskan and Wasilla resident Maria Annette Chavez, 52, died Aug. 15, 2011, from cancer at the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer.

Memorial services are at 6 p.m., Friday, Aug. 19, at the Wasilla Christian Church, 2201 South Knik-Goose Bay Road in Wasilla. Pastor Joe Munday will officiate.

Maria was born May 7, 1959, to Wayne W. and Beatrice Ellen (Stewart) Lynch in Anchorage. She graduated from Dimond High School at the age of 17 in 1976. Maria was all about her family and friends. She put everyone before herself. Maria met her husband, Dennis, 35 years ago in Anchorage and fell in love at first sight. They travelled around Montana, North Dakota and Alaska their first seven years of marriage before settling in Healy to start their family.

They moved their family to Fairbanks growing their large circle of friends and touching lives with everyone they came in contact with. Maria and Dennis decided they wanted to raise their children on a farm so they moved to Delta Junction where they lived until 2002, homeschooling her four children with great pride. She had volunteered with Project Christmas in both Delta Junction and Fairbanks, as well as being a part of the Girl Scouts.

In 2002, they moved to Wasilla, where Maria enjoyed working on her yard and knitting blankets for new babies, family and friends. Maria enjoyed corresponding with friends and family, never forgetting to send out birthday and Christmas cards or newsletters. She lived for her grandchildren, never missing a moment to spend with them. Maria loved life and lived every moment like it was her last. She was the least selfish person ever, never giving a thought to herself, but to everyone around her. Something as simple as a smile could brighten the darkest of days. Maria was the strongest, kindest, most compassionate woman anyone could have known.

Maria was preceded in death by her daughter, Summer EmmaJo Chavez; grandparents, Edward and Peggy Lynch; and grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Stewart.

She is survived by her husband, Dennis E. Chavez; daughter, Sparrow JoEllen and Paul Ferreira; son, Zachary Eugene and Mariya Chavez; daughter, Destiny Annette and Travis West; son, Perry Daniel and Nancy Chavez; grandsons, Cody Allen, Zebulon Gabriel, Logan Cole West; twin grandchildren, Julian Miguel and Liam Gabriel Ferreira; granddaughter, Annabelle Alyssa Chavez; parents, Wayne and Ellen Lynch, all of Wasilla. She’s also survive by sister, Deborah and Brad Wilson of Anchorage; brother, Michael and Maria Lynch of Calif.; sister, Theresa and Ken Cristman of Texas; brother, Joel and Nikki Lynch of Wasilla; sister, Corinna and Tom Schachle of Wasilla; and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions for a lung transplant for Dennis be made to the C/O Matanuska Federal Credit Union, FBO Dennis Chavez account No. 128642, 1020 S. Bailey St., Palmer, AK 99645.

Valley Funeral Home and Crematory cared for the family.