Marian H. Parks

Marian H. Parks, 81, died March 27, 2012, at Granny’s Log Cabin Assisted Living in Wasilla.

She was born Feb. 18, 1931, in New York to Harold and Anna (Grischenko) Kirkland.

Marian’s ashes will be scattered along with her husband’s at Hatcher Pass at a later date.

Marian moved to Alaska in 1953 and was a resident of Palmer. She was employed as a beauty operator in Anchorage. She also worked as a house cleaner and enjoyed being a housewife.

Marian attended First Baptist Church of Wasilla and was a member of the Volunteers of America, where she enjoyed volunteering her time at the Palmer Senior Center, and belonged to Pioneers of Alaska. She loved living in Alaska, where she enjoyed gardening, trips to Hatcher Pass and the views from her home of Pioneer Peak.

Surviving are her sister, Eva Kardasz of Holland Patent, N.Y.; brothers, Robert Kirkland of Holland Patent, N.Y., and Alan Kirkland of Rome, N.Y.; daughter, Cynthia (Cindy) Merritt of Lewisville, Texas; and many nieces, nephews and grandchildren.

Preceding her in death was her husband, Claude Parks; sister Velma Kirkland; and her parents.

Memorials may be made in her memory to the Alaska Baptist Missionaries or the Palmer Senior Center.

Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory Wasilla cared for the family.