Obituary - Jill Fanning

Thursday, December 21, 2006
THE JUNEAU EMPIRE

Former Yakutat resident Jill Kathleen Fanning died Dec. 10, 2006, 58, of natural causes on at the family's winter retreat in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Jill was born in Ellsworth, Kansas on May 24, 1948. She graduated from North High in Denver, attended Colorado State University and Greely Teachers College in Colorado and graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Jill loved and was much loved by many friends in Alaska, Mexico and throughout the U.S. and Canada. Jill's home was in Yakutat for the past 15 years.

Jill moved to Fairbanks in 1969 with Ken. They built and lived in a small cabin on Chena Pump Road. Ken guided and trapped. Jill worked at 1st National Bank, taught first grade for a year in North Pole and was associated with Reality Inc. for 12 years in Fairbanks.

In 1988, they moved to Yakutat, where they operated the Yakutat Lodge and a successful fishing and hunting business.

Music was a big part of her life and she participated in the Sweet Adeline's, sang in the church choir in Fairbanks and had just joined a singing group "The Quesa Devas" in Mexico. She entertained many friends and clients with Karaoke nights.

Jill was at peace with her faith. Services were held in Puerto Vallarta for many family and friends. A memorial will be held in the spring in Yakutat.

She is survived by family members whom she loved dearly: her husband of 37 years, Ken Fanning; son, Kip Fanning, and his family, Tammy Demmert, Kelsey Rae Fanning and Samson Demmert of Yakutat; along with others Jill considered her children: Ron and Sara Warren and their daughter, Emma, of Sitka; Rob Noyes of Yakutat; George Bock of Maine; Leonarda Isidro and her daughter, Karley Jillianna, of Mexico.

She also is survived by sisters Sheila Cleary of Denver and Vicki Schneider of San Diego and other relatives; niece Whitney Perri of Denver, aunts Doris Eilrich of Kansas and Alice Robbins of Denver.

The family requests contributions be made to your favorite children's charity or Toys for Tots. The family may be contacted at PO Box 287, Yakutat, AK 99689.