Sheila Diane (Selman) Moma

Longtime Alaskan Sheila Diane (Selman) Moma, 63, died May 6, 2012.

Sheila was born Dec. 6, 1948, in Crossett, Ark., to Charles and Mary Selman. Her first years were spent on the campus of Arkansas A&M while her father completed college and played football there. She was promptly adopted as the “unofficial team mascot” and “head cheerleader.”

Upon graduation, the family hit the road and spent many years traveling throughout the United States and Canada while Charlie worked for various oil exploration firms. In 1961, they settled in Alaska, where Sheila graduated from West High School with the class of 1966.

She taught herself to play guitar and sang many of the early folk era protest songs with the voice of an angel. In doing so, she also inspired and taught her brothers to play and sing.

In 1976 while working at Northland Plumbing, she met her future husband, Bert Moma, the best boiler man in Alaska! They soon fell in love and became a successful team by working and owning Totem Plumbing together.

They then became true partners in every sense of the word by marrying in June 1980. She was also part owner of her family’s business, The Club Paris. There she was known as the official office manager, family matriarch and the go-to gal for almost every difficult situation. She worked there until her sudden death from cancer. She succumbed to her disease just six short weeks after her diagnosis and left an irreparable hole in the lives of many.

She was of a brilliant mind, self reliant and strong, yet the beauty and tenderness in her voice could charm the birds from their trees. She quickly mastered any task set before her — from construction to computers to crocheting to cooking; she was undaunted and peerless. She was the best big sister ever and watched over her brothers as if they were her own children. She provided security and guidance throughout their lives and at times her love seemed the only thing that made life bearable.

Surviving are her husband, Bert Moma; son, Paul; daughter, Shirley Moma; granddaughter, Sierra Moma; brothers, Scott and Stan Selman; sister-in-law, Debbie Selman; nephews and nieces, Jett Selman, Taylor Selman, Cheyenne Selman, Rachel Paulding and Jacob Bailey; and her beloved pets, Jessie, Jordan and Charlie.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Charlie and Mary Selman; and her son, Marlon Moma.

A celebration of life is from noon to 3 p.m., May 13 at The Club Paris. All are welcome to attend.

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