Mary A. Algarin Obituary
Longtime Alaska resident Mary Agnes Algarin, 89, passed away peacefully at the Fairbanks Pioneers’ Home on Oct. 13, 2011.
Mary was born March 26, 1922, in Eau Claire, Wis. Her maiden name was Agnes Gertrude Schott. She preferred the name Mary and later had it legally added as her first name. She was raised along with her three sisters in Fond Du Lac, Wis. During World War II, she worked in an aircraft factory in San Diego and in the shipyards in Tacoma as a welder and "Rosie the Riveter."
In 1952, Mary came to Alaska to join several members of her family who had moved here. For a time she worked for her sister and brother-in-law who operated Meekin’s Lodge on the Glenn Highway near Sheep Mountain. It was there she met her future husband Dave Algarin, who was hunting in the area.
Mary and Dave made their home in a log cabin on Lazy Mountain near of Palmer. The family moved to Anchorage in 1956, settling in Mountain View. Across the years, Mary worked in a variety of jobs including time spent as a successful Avon Lady. Following the death of Dave in 1998, she moved to Fairbanks to be near her sons.
In 1958, Mary was at home when two ministers called at her door and left some Bible literature that caught her interest.
This began a deep study of the scriptures by her as well as Dave. They were happy to learn God’s original purpose for a perfect human family living forever on a paradise Earth has not changed. Mary’s love for Bible truth motivated her to share this good news with many others throughout her life. As she approached the end of her life she was comforted by the words of Revelation 21:4: "God will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more." She looked forward to being reunited with her family and friends by resurrection to a paradise Earth.
Mary was an avid reader. In addition to her interest in Bible related subjects, she loved to read the classics including the works of Dickens and Mark Twain. Her strong eyesight allowed her to enjoy her love of reading into old age. She also possessed a sharp sense of humor and had many stories to tell of her long and eventful life. She proved to be a loving and dedicated wife and mother. She took pride in her three children, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was unselfish and willing to put the interests of others first.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her three sisters, and her beloved husband Dave.
She is survived by her daughter Judith Brandt of Portland, Ore., and sons and daughters-in-law, John and Patty Roberts and David and Karen Algarin, all of Fairbanks; grandchildren, Tony Roberts, Michelle (Roberts) Izzi, Lane Roberts and James-David Algarin; great-grandchildren, Taylor and Bryan Izzi.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 29, at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 247 Old Steese Highway. All friends and acquaintances of Mary are welcome.
Arrangements were entrusted to Chapel of Chimes Funeral Home.