MARIA (MONTALVO) HENDRICKSON

Wasilla resident Mrs. Maria (Montalvo) Hendrickson, 74, died of natural causes at her home Aug. 19, 2003.

A celebration of her life will be held at 6 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 23, at Mickey and Nancy Hendrickson's home, 8749 West Cormorant Way in Wasilla.

Mrs. Hendrickson was born March 16, 1929, in San Antonio, Texas.

She became a resident of Alaska in 1980, living in Anchorage for 18 years before moving to Wasilla.

Mrs. Hendrickson was self-employed from 1966 until 1980 as a golf course recreation specialist. She worked for the Municipality of Anchorage Department of Parks and Recreation from 1984 until 1991.

Her hobbies included arts and crafts and teaching young children.

Her family wrote, "Mom will be missed and remembered by those who met and knew her and we say to her, 'Via con Dios, Madre.'"

Mrs. Hendrickson is survived by her former spouse Ralph Edward Hendrickson; son and daughter-in-law Michael and Nancy (Tarvin) Hendrickson; daughter Patricia Grimm; grandchildren Sandra Alstrin, Chris Merry, Brett Merry and Hank Hendrickson; grandson-in-law Kurt Alstrin; great-grandchildren Michael Alstrin, Brendan Merry and Faith Merry; granddaughter-in-law Lynette Merry; sisters Dora Gagne, Alice Gonzales and Annie.

Memorial donations may be sent to Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska, P.O. Box 4406, Palmer AK 99645; Hospice of Mat-Su, 3051 E. Palmer-Wasilla Highway, Wasilla AK 99654; or to Palmer Senior Center, Home Delivered Meals Program, 831 S. Chugach, Palmer AK 99645.

Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Wasilla.