Visitation took place Saturday, Dec. 31, at St. Innocent Russian Orthodox Cathedral, with services at 11:30 a.m. A gathering of Mrs. Atwater's family and friends followed.
A private burial will take place today at Kashwitna.
Mrs. Atwater was born Sept. 6, 1930, in Venasale, to Ann and Gregory Gregory.
She was a homemaker who worked at the Woodshed Restaurant in the 1970s and was a member of Cook Inlet Region Inc.
Mrs. Atwater was an avid gardener and loved berry picking, home canning, beading, skin sewing, knitting and crocheting.
Her children and friends wrote, “She helped anyone in need, her family was her number-one priority and she will forever be remembered for the wonderful meals she prepared.
“In her final years, she was a champion for animal rights and voiced her concern that pets are spayed and neutered and that homeless animals in shelters be considered first for adoption.
“Her caring nature for her family and friends, including their beloved pets' heath, was a primary concern.”
Mrs. Atwater is survived by her husband, Harding Atwater, and children, Helen Atwater of Anchorage, Jane Jimenez and husband, Neil Snider, of Wasilla, Mary Sweeney of Wasilla, Rose Brady and son-in-law, William Brady, of Anchorage, Everett Atwater and wife, Johnnie Price of Wasilla, Carol Atwater of Anchorage, and Benjamin Atwater of Wasilla.
Mrs. Atwater is also survived by her grandchildren, Kris Kienberger of Portland, Ore., Eugene Paul Sweeney Sr. and Jennifer Sweeney of Wasilla, Janel Scott of Dover, Del., Maxim Chandonnet, Cynthia Goodrich, and Jessica Mitchell of Anchorage, Joe Atwater and wife, Shawn Theodore, Edward Atwater and Delbert Atwater of Wasilla; great- grandchildren, Eugene Sweeney Jr. and Rosebud Sweeney of Wasilla, as well as many other grandchildren, great-grandchildren, relatives and friends and Mouser and her faithful companion, Buddy.
Mrs. Atwater was preceded in death by her children, Shirley Mae Atwater and Steve Allen Atwater, and grandson, Dax Omar Atwater.
Arrangements for Mrs. Atwater were made with Evergreen Memorial Chapel, 737 E St., Anchorage.
Source: Frontiersman, 3 January 2006
