Nam Thi Richards Jeffries

Nam Thi Richards Jeffries, 51, passed away on Oct. 9, 2015, surrounded by her loving family at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer. Service was held at Fort Richardson National Cemetery, Anchorage, Alaska, on Oct. 15, 2015, at 2:30 p.m.

Nam was born in Saigon, Vietnam, and grew up and graduated Baker High in Mobile, Alabama. She met and married her high school sweetheart on March 1, 1985. He joined the military and she joined him on their adventures around the United States as a dedicated military wife. She had her son in 1989 in Biloxi, Mississippi, and her daughter in 1992, in Pensacola, Florida.

After her husband’s retirement in 2004, they decided to make Wasilla, Alaska, their home. She started teaching at Sonja’s Studio of Dance as a tap and ballet instructor for preschoolers. Shortly after, she opened her successful dance supply shop: 1-2-3 Look at Me Dance Boutique. She enjoyed crocheting, cooking, and anything to do with family. As long as she was with family, it did not matter what was on the agenda.

Nam was diagnosed with breast cancer in late 2007 and lung cancer in early 2008. She beat breast cancer in 2009. In 2010 during a routine follow-up, it was discovered that the lung cancer had returned. Nam never let her illness define her. Many never knew she was sick. She lived life to the fullest, loved with all her heart, and touched every person she came in contact with. Nam has graced the community and especially her family with laughter, memories, and more love than a person could give.

Nam is survived by the loves of her life: husband, Robert D. Jeffries; son, Robert D. Jeffries II; daughter, Ellen Nicole Jeffries, all of Wasilla, Alaska.

“My home is in Heaven. I’m just traveling through this world. My heart belongs to my husband, son, and daughter, who I will be united with one of these days.”