Helen Burrows, 95, died peacefully Feb. 26 at an assisted living facility in Seaside, Ore., following a stroke. Her granddaughter LaZell Hammons was with her. Burrows is the mother of Peter Lapham, Roger Lapham, Diann Ahrens and Doris Bell. A full obituary will be published in next week’s CVN.
Former L.A.B. Flying Service pilot Dan Delight was on the 17th floor of a 37-story Tokyo hotel when the big quake hit last week. Dan e-mailed friends that the quake knocked him down and made him fear for his life. Out his window, buildings were moving as much as 10 feet back and forth, he wrote. "The perspective is something that only Hollywood could produce – massive buildings rocking back and forth." His hotel shook for four minutes, and the aftershocks and the resulting adrenaline rush left him virtually sleepless for two days. Delight pilots a 777 for United Airlines. He’s related through marriage to Lou and Layton Bennett and lives in California.
Chloe Lynn Marie Lloyd was born to Krystal and Joshua Lloyd on Feb. 23. Chloe weighed 8 pounds and was 20 inches long. She joins big brother Wade Lloyd, 22 months, who witnessed his sister’s arrival, along with family friend Amanda Wilder. Wade is head over heels for his spunky baby sister and never wants to put her down. Chloe’s grandparents are Gary and Becky Hinkle, Earleen Lloyd and Steven Lloyd.
Grandparents Craig and Sheri Loomis were in Sitka for the arrival of their grandson, Grayson Cody Loomis. The first child of Cody and Marlie Loomis, Grayson was born Feb. 26. He weighed 7 lbs., 3 ozs. and was 21 inches long. Marlie’s parents, Mary Jo and Jim Wild, flew in from Elfin Cove and Cody’s sister, Erica Pearson, was also on hand. Craig and Sheri had to fly out the next day to attend a sportsman’s show, but they have been following Grayson’s gurgles through Skype and on their iPhone. "We see him every day," said Sheri. "It’s the greatest invention!"
Another Haines grandbaby was born in Sitka just two days later. Barb and Jerry Blood were in Sitka for the arrival of their granddaughter, Grace Aeryn Hall, on Feb. 28. Grace was born to Janie and Tim Hall and weighed 7 lbs., 2 ozs. Grace’s middle name is in honor of Aaron Streets, Tim’s great-grandfather and a dear friend of the Bloods. Big sister Natalie was happy to have her grandparents in town.
Heather Smith and Matthew Hunter celebrated the birth of their son, Haydn Bugg Hunter, on March 5. Haydn weighed 7 pounds and was 20 inches long. Matt’s mother, Mimi Harris, was in Juneau, from Washington, D.C., for the birth. Heather’s father, Bill "Smitty" Smith, stayed back in Haines to take care of their menagerie of dogs and cats. Bugg is a family name from Matt’s Civil War-era ancestors and also commemorates the start of their relationship. Heather and Matt got to know each other during two summers of bluegrass festivals in upstate New York, where they both camped near mutual friend Tater Bug.
Dwight and Nancy Nash are home from an entertaining and culturally rich journey to Thailand where they visited daughter Nori Nash, who works in Bangkok for the state department. They started their trip from Whitehorse, Y.T., where they stayed with friend and historian Michael Gates and his wife Kathy. They arrived in Bangkok after more than 30 hours of travel that included connections in Vancouver and Tokyo. They stayed in Nori’s spacious high-rise apartment, located in central Bangkok, and were happy to spend time with Brian Pindel, Nori’s boyfriend, who played tour guide while Nori was at work. The four traveled to Ayuttaya, the traditional capital of Thailand, where they explored temples and ruins. Nancy found her way to a specialty instrument shop, where she purchased a Thai flute, and Dwight tested his pool skills in a local snooker hall with Brian. They also traveled to Chantaburi, a renowned destination for gems. They attended a traditional Thai music class, and were treated to a concert by the dozen students. Dwight visited a gem market to purchase a sapphire, which he plans to have made into an earring. Dwight and Nancy also toured Bangkok, visiting the grand palace and open air markets. They took a Thai cooking class where they learned traditional techniques, and came home with recipes and spices to try their skills at home.
Matching memorial plaques in honor of Alaska Department of Fish and Game employees who "lost their lives studying, protecting, and managing Alaska’s fish and game resources" have been hung in four Fish and Game offices in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau and Douglas. Jonathan Ward is among the 26 men and women commemorated. Jonathan died May 29, 1975 in a Chilkoot Lake accident. Jonathan’s mother, Marge Ward, wasn’t able to attend the Nov. 8 dedication ceremony in Anchorage, but family friends Babs and Coleen Bridge represented the family. Gov. Sean Parnell and then-Commissioner Denby Lloyd dedicated the plaque in Anchorage. Marge’s daughter Wendy Hogins attended the Juneau dedication.