Patricia Ann Ray

Palmer resident Patricia Ann Ray, 74, died surrounded by her family Feb. 17, 2011, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center due to complications from a brain tumor.

Patricia was born to Richard and LaVerne Diedrich (Leifer) on Sept. 16, 1936, in Milwaukee, Wisc. She came to Alaska on May 14, 1949, with her parents and siblings via the Alaska Highway. They homesteaded in Sutton, a homestead still owned and resided on by the family.

Pat was a customer service representative for Matanuska Telephone Association and Pacific Telecom. She retired in the early 1990s. She also spent many summers working at the Palmer Visitor’s Center, including the past summer.

The family writes: “Our mother (grandma) had a unique way of looking at the world. She always said if there was a way to do things backward or upside-down, she would find it. She filled our lives with love, laughter and joy, and was always a steadfast pillar of strength. Her life, love, and faith in the Lord were an inspiration to us all and she touched so many lives with her one-of-a-kind character and compassion. She didn’t have an easy life, but she had an unshakable faith in Christ and great courage. She was a genuine encourager to others, and would look for opportunities to help others who were facing hardships.

“Persevering through different trials allowed her to be able to give hope and direction to others who had difficulties. No matter what the circumstance was, she always had a way to make each one of us feel special and loved. In fact, as a grandmother goes, she was the kind who served pizza and chocolate milk for breakfast and loved you so much you never wanted to go home. She was always involved in all of our lives. We did so much together and we will feel the loss of her laugh, her smile and her enthusiasm. We love and miss her more than words could ever say, but we are comforted in knowing that she is rejoicing in heaven and that we will see her again.”

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Betsy Smith of Fort Gibson, Okla.; daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Norman Jones of Wasilla; daughter and son-in-law, Janet and Peter Gallardo of Palmer; grandchildren, Julie Miller (Jesse), Michael Jones (Gina), Rebekah Bell (Zach), Steven Gallardo (Sonia), Kimberly Gallardo, Brendan Smith (Annie), Bethany Smith and Katie Smith; great-grandchildren, Hailey Parris, Aidan and Cienna Bell, and Abigail Miller; sisters, Deanna Burnett and Jeanne Hearn; brother, Richard Diedrich; and her nieces and nephews.

A memorial service is Feb. 26, at 1 p.m. at Family Christian Center, 203 W. Dogwood, Palmer, with a graveside service to follow at Palmer Pioneer Cemetery. The family suggests anyone wanting to make memorial donations send them to Heartreach Pregnancy Center, 924 Leatherleaf Loop, Wasilla, AK 99654.

Kehl’s Palmer Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.