Maureen Denise Emery

Maureen Denise Emery, 56, died July 6, 2011, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer. A memorial service was July 10 at the family home.

Maureen was born May 19, 1955, in San Francisco, Calif., to Peter Gunnar Larsen and Betty Lee (Malino).

Maureen came to Alaska in 2003 and lived in Wasilla and worked as a secretary for a car rental business.

Her hobbies were poetry, gardening, cooking and baking for her family and friends. Most of all she loved caring for all of her animals — her favorite dog, Easy Money, and her “main man” Animal. She loved long rides on Harley-Davidson motorcycles with all her friends.

According to her family, she had a heart of gold and would give you the shirt off her back or help out in any way she could; anything to see you smile regardless of the condition she was in.

Most of all, Maureen loved her mate, family and friends. “We will miss her dearly and no one could replace the kindness she possessed in her heart,” the family wrote.

Maureen is survived by her mother and step-father, Betty Lee and Ray Daignault of Sequim, Wash.; father, Gunnar Larsen of California; life partner, Paul Hibbits, (aka “Animal”) of Wasilla; sister, Lana Montgomery of Congress, Ariz.; and niece and nephew, Briana and Chase Ayer of Seattle, Wash. Also surviving are her close friends, Myra Adney of Wasilla and Skye Phillips of Big Lake.

Arrangements were entrusted to Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory of Wasilla.