Mary Inez Ahmii Maasuk Atoruk

A funeral for Palmer resident Mary Inez Ahmii Maasuk Atoruk, 29, will be at 11 a.m. on Friday at Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel, 1015 S. Check St., in Wasilla. A visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Burial will be at a later date at Palmer Pioneer Cemetery.

Mary died March 20, 2010, at the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage. She was born in Barrow on Feb. 7, 1981, and has been a lifelong Alaskan. She was a 2003 graduate of Colony High School. She attended church with her guardians and foster parents.

She loved listening to music, socializing with people, eating and shopping. She especially enjoyed having her hair brushed and massages.

According to her guardians, “Mary was a joy to many people. She touched so many people’s lives with her infectious smile and unconditional love. Though she had many physical limitations, she had no limits on her heart. She will be missed by many and was loved by all who knew her.”

She is survived by her guardian, Kathy McKelvey and family; her foster mother, Lianne Schwartz and family; and her other foster mother, Diane Wirtanen and family; and the countless caregivers in her life.

Arrangements were entrusted to Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel & Crematory in Wasilla, www.akheritage.com.