Obituary, Carmen Nancy Lopez, 51

Carmen Nancy Lopez, 51, Carmen entered the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage November, 2012 and remained there until she was transferred to her niece Cerise Sander’s home for hospice care. She was called home to be with her Lord on March 19, 2013.

She was born on October 11, 1961 to Ethelyn and Art Lopez in Petersburg, Alaska.

Her ancestry consisted of the Tlingit tribe on her mother’s side and Colombian Spanish on her father’s side. She was of the Raven moiety, her clan was Tak’ Dein Taan. Her Tlingit name was Kaas’ Agu Tlaa, named after her maternal grandmother, Celia Martin.

Carmen attended school in Petersburg, and graduated in the class of 1979.

Although her working years were all in Petersburg, she loved to travel, having visited many states, Mexico, Baja California, and Hawaii.

Carmen had a love for the game of pool and became proficient enough to play in tournaments. She was part of the first organized women’s Petersburg City Pool League named “Teddy’s Terrorists.” Carmen enjoyed volunteering with the Women of the Moose Ritual Team fundraisers by contributing her bacon fried rice dish and helping sell tickets. One of her favorite foods was seal meat, a delicacy that seems to be a favorite among the Tak’ Dein Taan ladies.

Her primary place of work was at Ohmer’s, later renamed Alaska Glacier Seafoods, later renamed Norquest, and finally Trident. She remained loyal to the same company during all this time and she was still employed there when she became sick with cancer. According to her bosses, her work as a grader of fish was first rate and she had their full confidence in her. She was always know as a hard worker and easily landed jobs where she applied.

She shared a special friendship with two of her cousins, Darnell Nannauck Wilton and Tiffany Benson Morehouse, and they dubbed themselves “The Three Musketeers.” They were inseparable whenever the family had a get together and shared much laughter.

Carmen was preceded in death by her father Art Lopez; and brothers Michael Arturo, and Antonio Martin “Marty” Lopez.

She is survived by her mother Ethelyn; sisters Cecilia Lopez Tavoliero and Christina Lopez; brothers Christopher and Lorenzo Lopez and adopted brother Richard Eide; aunts Angela Martin Kadake, Nancy Martin, Jackie Martin; uncles Harold and Pete Martin Jr., and Henry Benson; adopted aunt Roxie Lee and the Schwartz family; adopted sisters Tonya Roundtree and Jamie Plinneke as well as innumerable cousins (between 175-200); numerous nephews and nieces such as Derek, Nathan, Crescent (Moore) Elizabeth, and Theresa Lopez, Gambier Raven, Cerise, and Darron Sanders, Michael A. and Tria-Lisa Tavoliero, Diana Sakamoto, Little Lorenzo and Marty Lopez, Little Celia Mills; and numerous relatives in Colombia, South America.

In Anchorage a small viewing and service was held March 24 at the Evergreen Memorial Chapel Funeral Home officiated by Nathan Lopez.

A Funeral/Celebration of Life Service was held on March 30 at the Petersburg Lighthouse Assembly of God Church, and a graveside service was held April 8.