Patricia Alcantra

March 25, 1930 - June 26, 2025

Patricia "Trish" Jean Bailey was born to Walter and Edna Bailey on March 25, 1930 in San Bernardino, California. Her dad was a traveling machinist, so as a child Trish lived in many places in Arizona and California before coming to Alaska in the 1940s. She met and married the love of her life, John R. Alcantra in Curry, Alaska. They moved to Anchorage in 1951 and together they had 10 children. They owned and operated Totem Eggs, a large egg farm with over 17,000 chickens, located off Campbell Airstrip Road. After the 1964 earthquake destroyed their farm, they relocated to Palmer and reestablished their business. While raising a large family and running their farm, John also worked for Alaska's first elected Governor, Bill Egan. Their legacy includes Alcantra National Guard Armory, and Alcantra Sports Complex located in Wasilla acknowledging their years of work and love for the state of Alaska.

After John's passing in 1966, Trish moved her family between Alaska and Southern California several times eventually resettling in Palmer. Trish moved to Eagle River to live with her daughter, Dianna, son-in law Bill, and their children for over a decade. She made a final move to Chugiak Senior Housing in 2018, where she enjoyed living in her new apartment, visiting her neighbors, and her dear friend, Michelle.

Trish lived a varied life. She was a chicken farmer, business owner, and spent two summers working at Munsey Bear camp in Kodiak in the 1970s. She loved working at the camp and regaled visitors from all over the world with stories of Alaska. She had a wonderful sense of humor, was quick witted, compassionate, and a lifelong democrat. She was adventurous, driving the Alaska Highway alone in the 1960s; parasailing in Mexico on her 80th birthday; was the oldest person to ride slingshot at the Alaska State Fair at age 81; and zip-lining at the age of 87 in Northern California. She was a voracious reader, polishing off several books per month. She enjoyed old movies, and was very good at the game show, Jeopardy, especially when the category had anything to do with entertainment and movies. Alaskan to her core, she loved attending Mat-Su Miners and Chugiak Chinooks baseball games and often watched the Mariners on television.

She was incredibly close with her children, enjoying good conversations, many laughs, music, and a strong drink at the Birchwood Saloon where her picture hangs today. She lived independently at the Chugiak Senior Center until her final week of life. She passed away at Providence Hospital after a brief illness, surrounded by her family. Though she lived a long life, her passing has left a hole in our hearts and she will be greatly missed.

Trish is survived by seven of her ten children, Barbara (Les) Hermon, Ramona (Steve) Van Cleve, Laura (Ray) LaFrance, Dianna (Bill Comer) Alcantra, Neva (George) Cobian, John (Rosetta) Alcantra and Cameron Alcantra. She was preceded in death by her husband John R.; sons, Daniel and Joseph (Marina) Alcantra; and daughter Theresa (David) Badger. At last count "Grams" had 106 grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Per her wishes there will be no official service but her ashes (along with those of her husband, John) will be spread near Curry, Alaska.