Eleanor J. Packard

Apr 11, 1930 -

Aug 28, 2020

Longtime Alaska resident Eleanor "Miss Ellie" J. Packard took her last worldly breath on Aug. 28, 2020, in Yuma, Ariz. Born in Chicago, Ill., to transient parents uprooted by the Great Depression, her family traveled the country and Alaska job to job. The only child of a chemical engineer and a homemaker, their "feast or famine" life was hard but happy. They lived, sometimes briefly, in almost every state and in pre-statehood Alaska.

She married Robert Packard, a U.S. Navy serviceman, and raised three daughters mostly in California. In 1973, they were stationed in Naval Station Adak, Alaska, where she held the post of ombudsman. Much of her spare time was spent on their halibut longline and crabbing boat. On Adak she began driving a school bus and spent many years in pupil transportation there and in Anchorage after settling in Palmer, Alaska. She was instrumental in establishing state regulations regarding pupil transportation. Upon retiring from Anchorage School District she moved to tourism driving motor coaches and training coach and luggage truck drivers with Holland America Princess Tours until failing eyesight in her 80s forced retirement.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Jesse and Gwendolyn Jamison; and daughter, Lisa Packard. She is survived by her daughters, Gwendolyn Finney of Yuma and Kimberly Penwarden of Palmer; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandsons. All her pride and joy. She is loved and will be sorely missed.

Some say their loved ones "lived their life to the fullest." Miss Ellie's cup ranneth over. Her life was lived deliberately with amazing work ethics few possess. She played with great zeal, whether luxury cruising the world with her "besties" the Alaskan golden girls or skinny dipping in remote Alaskan interior lakes. Her love and zest for life were unmatched and immeasurable. This universe has lost a true force.