-- Published in The Alaska Dispatch News, 03/23/2017:

Yvonne Bernadette Alexander, 61, passed away surrounded by family on Feb. 17, 2017, at Alaska Native Medical Center.

Yvonne was born on Sept. 21, 1955, in Long Beach, Calif.

She moved to Alaska in 1957, and has lived many places including Anchorage, Kenai and Kodiak.

Yvonne worked as a lifeguard as Alyeska Ski Chalet.

She graduated from East High School and was #1 in women's track and field and swim team. She was a youngest runner for the Walk for Hope in the women's division in the 1970s.

In her later years it wasn't uncommon to catch her singing, enjoying time with family, cleaning, feeding the ducks and geese, walking, fishing, camping, hiking or skiing. She was very fond of the holidays and spending them with the ones she loved.

Yvonne will be most remembered for her kindness and loving heart. She viewed life with a unique set of eyes that saw only the good in the world and in people.

Yvonne is survived by her daughter, Anna Marie Sherwood; son, Peter Michael Lind along with his wife Carleen and four grandchildren; sisters, Delice Calcote and Debbie Boskofsky; brother, Robert Alexander and brother-in-law Edward Hope; sister, Linda along with husband Raymond Monroe; and many nieces and nephews.

Yvonne was greeted at the Gates of Heaven by her parents, Harold and Charlotte Mai Alexander; her brother, Mark; her sisters, Charlotte Ann and Charla Mai; nephew, Matthew; and great-nephew, Kyler; along with many other family members, friends and loved ones.

There will be a memorial service on Tuesday, March 28, 2017, at Janssen's Evergreen Memorial Chapel, 737 E Street in Anchorage, from 1-2 p.m. Flowers may be sent to the funeral home prior to the services.

Arrangements are with Janssen's Evergreen Memorial Chapel.