Dorothy Fulton: August 25, 1937 – September 2, 2022
Dorothy Patricia Holmes Fulton, 85, came to the end of this life’s journey at home in Anchorage, Alaska, quite suddenly after a brief illness, on Sept. 2, 2022.
She was born on Aug. 25, 1937, to the late Mrs. Mattie Holmes and Mr. Samuel Holmes Sr.
Dorothy was the ninth of 12 children, born and raised in Waycross, Ga. She married Augustus Fulton Jr. shortly after graduating from high school. She was a staunch supporter of Augustus, “Gus,” throughout his long career in the United States Air Force. His military career eventually brought them to Anchorage, where they have remained.
Education was very important to Dorothy, she began her 42-year nursing career in 1963 as an LPN, going on to achieve an associate RN degree in 1978, and a Bachelor of Arts in human resource development in 1984, and a master’s degree in adult and community education in 1985, all while raising three children. Assisting Gus with their family business was a huge part of their lives together.
Dorothy was a well-respected champion and advocate of nurses; she devoted her career to serving others. She retired from the State of Alaska as the Executive Administrator of the Alaska Board of Nursing in 2005, after serving 16 years, but returned for another year at their request. She also served on the Board of Directors of the National Council of the State Boards of Nursing, as well as chairing the National Disciplinary Data Bank. She received many awards and recognition for her service.
Dorothy was employed by Providence Hospital from 1976 to 1989 in various nursing positions: staff nurse, assistant manager and staff development and education.
Dorothy was an avid basketball fan, being in Booster clubs for both UAA men’s and women’s basketball since the late 70s. Dorothy and Gus attended many basketball games and never missed the Alaska Shootout. It was a sad day for them when the Shootout was discontinued.
She was preceded in death by her adoring siblings, Mrs. Willie Mae Cooper, Ms. Ruth Holmes, Mrs. Martha Johnson, Mr. Samuel Holmes Jr., Mr. George Holmes, Mrs. Mary Ervin, Mrs. Elizabeth Shelton, Mrs. Odessa Dixon and Mr. Edward Holmes.
Dorothy deeply loved her family above all, mourning her loss is her loving husband of 66 years, Augustus Fulton Jr.; along with her children, Phyllis Fulton of Jacksonville, Fla., Augustus Fulton III (Joyce) of Anchorage, and Gregory Fulton (Brenda) of Anchorage; and grandchildren, Augustus Fulton Wiley, Natalie Wiley, Jessica Fulton (Michael Brown), Dan’elle Fulton, Daniel Greene (Amanda), Sara Fulton, Samantha Fulton, Nick Janak and Tiphanie Mikula (Sam). She was also a proud great-grandma of 13 children. Her family’s special memories include fantastic holiday meals where she always made everyone feel welcome and at home.
She will be deeply missed by her sisters, Mrs. Shirley Griffin of Columbus, Ga., and Mrs. Altamease Holmes of Savannah, Ga.; brother, Albert Hunt Jr.; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends who admired and adored Dorothy.
Memorial Mass to be held at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Alaska at 12 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022, followed by a reception at the Alaska Airlines Center.
She will be interned at Fort Richardson National Cemetery at a later date.
Memorials may be made in her honor to Catholic Social Services or the charity of donor’s choice.
Eva Ryan November 13, 1929 – August 18, 2022
Eva Pauline Ryan passed away on Aug. 18, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. She was born in Shaktoolik, Alaska, on Nov. 13, 1929, to Paul and May Tetpon Ivanoff. Eva’s early years were spent at Merkoryuk, Eek, and Golovin, where she completed grade school. Eva’s high school years were at White Mountain, Wrangell, and Mt. Edgecumbe, graduating in 1948.
Eva met Wilfred Ryan at White Mountain in 1946. On Aug. 15, 1949, Wilfred and Eva were married in Unalakleet by her grandfather, Commissioner Stephan Ivanoff. The couple moved to Kaltag in 1950, where Eva was hired as a BIA teacher. After a year on the Yukon River, they returned to Unalakleet. Eva worked at the post office and Wilfred began his flying career. Together, they founded Unalakleet Air Taxi in 1953. Eventually, Eva returned to teaching at the BIA Elementary School. Their family and Unalakleet Air Taxi grew, and Eva became not only a busy mother, but also a hostess to many guests and clients of the air taxi. In March 1977, Wilfred Sr. passed away after a short battle with cancer. Eva continued guiding their air taxi, which later became Ryan Air. In 1980, Eva retired from a long and memorable career with BIA. Eva qualified for a commercial herring permit and captained her own crew during the 80s. From 1988-90, she worked for the Headstart Program in Unalakleet as a cook. Eva was hired by Neeser Construction as their camp cook in 1988. This employment took her to Neeser job sites in Gambell, Stebbins, Wales, and Teller. In 1996, Eva retired for good.
Eva taught her children and grandchildren how to hunt and fish. She lived a true subsistence lifestyle, providing for her family and others. Villagers near and far received care packages of meat or fish and berries from Eva. In 1997, the Alaska Federation of Natives selected Eva “Atauchaq” Ryan as the first recipient of their Hunter/Fisher Award. In 2012, the 27th Alaska State Legislature honored both Wilfred Ryan Sr. and Eva Ryan in recognition of their contributions to air transportation and the Alaska aviation community. They were inducted into the Alaska Aviation Museum’s Hall of Fame on March 22, 2012.
Throughout her life, Eva spent her days being productive and, depending on the season, she was busy with her subsistence lifestyle; collecting herring eggs on kelp, seal hunting, making seal oil and black meat, gathering bird eggs and greens, drying and smoking salmon, berry picking and hunting moose and caribou. When not in the country, she was busy sewing, knitting, crocheting, embroidering, tanning and sewing furs, and creating grass baskets. Eva Ryan was a strong, hard-working and independent woman whom many admired, respected and loved. Her kindness, generosity and compassion will be greatly missed.
Eva is survived by her children, Sue (John) Eckels, Linda (Clarence Jr.) Towarak, Wilfred (Victoria) Ryan Jr., Glenda (Jake) Sherman, Adrian (Amy) Ryan, Pauline Nicoll, Dennis Ryan, Ferno (Jim) Tweto and Stephanie (Craig McConnell) Ryan; 28 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and brother, Larry (Maggie) Ivanoff. Eva was preceded in death by her husband, Wilfred; infant son, Dean; parents, Paul and May Ivanoff; and siblings, Clarence Towarak Sr., Ralph Ivanoff, Myrtle Garrison, Johnny Ivanoff, Emma Moses, Paul Ivanoff II, Henrietta Hansen, Fina Bunch, Laurina Ryan and Glenn Ivanoff.
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