--Published in The Alaska Dispatch News, 01/08/2016:

Donna Holman, 64, passed away on Jan. 1, 2016, with her daughters by her side. Donna was born and raised in Kodiak, Alaska, and was a fourth generation, strong, independent woman.

Donna moved to Anchorage, Alaska, in the early '70s with her two young daughters. Donna was a resilient, independent lady who overcame many obstacles in her life.

She was a 20 year survivor of breast cancer and was admired greatly by many in her tenacious strength and determination in rejecting modern medicines recommendations and emerging herself into researching and educating with alternative natural healing methods.

Donna studied Alaska Native Cultures and was interested in people from all parts of Alaska. She was committed to researching her Alutiiq family history and was a long-time member of the Anchorage Genealogy Society. One of her favorite pastimes was collecting antiques from around Alaska and wherever she traveled. She was an active weekend garage sale participant.

Travel was another of Donna's favorite activities. Donna and Max regularly traveled to the west coast and Hawaii to visit close friends, attend healing programs and enjoy the relaxing surroundings together. She greatly enjoyed visiting historic places. For many years Donna worked in the mental health field as a substance abuse counselor. Her work involved helping and training village providers with their treatment and wellness programs. Her favorite annual event was the Rural Providers Conference. She was a pioneer of the sobriety movement in Alaska and her life was enriched by her 35 years living a clean and sober life.

Donna's family and friends feel blessed to have had the past 20 years with her as the matriarch of the family. She was able to watch three of her four grandchildren reach adulthood as well as enjoy her two great-grandchildren.

Donna is survived by her life-long man friend, Max Chickalusion Jr.; daughters, Michelle Zellweger and Lisa McKinney; sons-in-law, Shane Zellweger and Chad McKinney; brothers, Robert Foster and Donald Foster Jr.; granddaughters, Mikaela (Jeff) Harrison, Hailey Holman and Alice McKinney; grandson, Justin Zellweger; and great-grandchildren, Nicholas and Emily Harrison; along with many nieces and nephews and lifelong friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Edna Mae (Torsen) Foster and Donald Foster Sr.; brother, Fred Foster; and sister, Sharon Foster.

There will be a celebration of life at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016, in the Summit Room at the Anchorage Sheraton Hotel, 401 E 6th Ave., Anchorage, AK 99501.

Her family will be spreading her ashes together in Kodiak later this summer.