Anny Chia Wilson

Apr 20, 1940 -

Oct 14, 2020

Anny Chia Wilson, longtime resident of Valdez, AK, died from complications related to COVID-19 on Oct. 14, 2020 at Alaska Regional Hospital in Anchorage. She was 80 years old.

Anny was born in Jepara, Central Java, Indonesia, just prior to the hardships of WWII, as the country was emerging from Dutch colonial rule. She was the youngest of 9 children. Both of her parents died when she was a small child, and Anny's childhood included years in an orphanage run by Dutch nuns. She grew up speaking Dutch and Indonesian, learned English, and graduated from nursing school in Jakarta. While employed as a nurse, she was hired to care for the McCusker children, whose father was a US diplomat in Jakarta. Anny soon became a beloved member of their family, and they invited her to the US. She sailed with them aboard the S.S. Wilson in 1969, the ship's name being a wonderful coincidence. New York was her first home in the US. Anny's sense of adventure, intelligence, persistent determination, straightforward style, and tireless work ethic contributed to her success. Anny was then hired by the Fowler family in Colorado to help raise their 7 children (ages 10 to 17) following the death of their mother. Two years later, the children's father was diagnosed with cancer and daughter Mary Fowler said, "During the next 4 years until his death, Anny was the glue that held the household together. She was devoted to Dad and was heroic in tending to the comings and goings of a band of teenagers, none of whom believed they were in any need of tending."

Anny and her husband, Jack Wilson, met as pen-pals while Anny was working in Colorado. Anny moved to Valdez to make her home with Jack, and the couple married in 1981. Anny stayed in Valdez after their marriage was cut short by Jack's untimely death in 1984. Working multiple jobs, she built her own home, fostered children, volunteered countless hours with community organizations, and operated her own B&B for many years. In 2017, Anny was nominated for the "Women of Distinction Award" as an exceptional Valdez community member. She loved travel, and opportunities to visit family and friends around the world. She was an amazing cook and caregiver. She loved children and had definite opinions on how they should be raised, which were simply a reflection of her own values: work hard, be polite, be honest, follow the "Golden Rule", play outside, laugh often. She never shied away from "tough love" when required. Above all, Anny held a deep Christian faith. She knew without a doubt that her final journey would bring her home to Jesus. She regularly worshiped at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Bayside Church, and several other churches in Valdez. Friends noted, "…the impact that little lady had on so many people proves that one person can positively impact the lives of so many. We will miss her greatly."

Anny is survived by 2 siblings in Indonesia, sister, Grietje (Tjia Gien Hwa Nio) and brother, Willem (Tjia Giok Tjoe); 6 nieces and 6 nephews in Indonesia, 6 nieces and 1 nephew in CA, 1 niece in CO, 1 niece in Singapore, 16 grand-nieces and 39 grand-nephews.

A moderated "Sharing of Memories" will be held live on Zoom, Sunday, November 8th. Funeral mass, burial and celebration of life scheduled for May, 2021 in Valdez. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the Indonesian school/orphanage that Anny supported: International Friends of Compassion, PO Box 81823, Fairbanks, AK 99708. Memorials also accepted at https://www.ifcus.org/help/donate/. Please designate, "Memorial: Anny Wilson".