Elizabeth Mary Maciariello

May 31, 1930 -

Feb 18, 2024

Elizabeth Mary Maciariello, nee Glaub, died peacefully while surrounded by family on Feb. 18, 2024, in Anchorage, Alaska. She was born on May 31, 1930, in Breese, Ill., and like many of her generation, saw the world change greatly in her near century on earth. Born during the Great Depression to Harry and Elizabeth Glaub, the 11th of 13 children, she watched her brothers leave to fight in World War II, and then met a young Air Force soldier named Mac at Scott Air Force Base after the war. They married, had seven children and, though they divorced in 1982, they remained friends until his passing in 2013. They made their homes in Illinois, Delaware, and finally Alaska, arriving in 1962, after she urged him to take the job offered up here even though they couldn't find King Salmon on any map.

She worked for American Greetings, but her true calling was being a wife and mother and keeping a beautiful home. She was the one everyone called when they needed something: Girl Scout leader, school volunteer, costume sewer, backstage mom. Her home was always open to all who needed a place and many of our friends called her their second mom. She was the biggest cheerleader, always; she watched us bowl, dance, play sports, spelling bees, you name it and she was there. She had a quick and clever sense of humor - even if it made us roll our eyes occasionally! - and a lot of common sense and working knowledge of the world. She was involved in all our lives right up to the end, though dementia had started to steal corners of her life from her and us. She had that "never surrender" streak in her soul that she passed on to us.

She enjoyed being part of her grandkids' lives, going to games, motocross races, bowling and most recently her great-grandchildren's football and hockey games. She did beautiful needlepoint and worked the newspaper's word find and crossword every day.

She was preceded in death by her parents; 11 of her 12 siblings; and children, Gina and Jeff. She is survived by her sister, Pat Zuelow; children, Teresa, Laura, Jim, Kilian and Sandy; grandchildren, Hanna, Tucker, Jacob, Lindsey, Daniel, Catherine, Ben, James, Chhay, Emma, Brett and Trixie; and numerous great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Guiding Eyes for the Blind, St. Jude's Children's Hospital or any charity that is close to your heart.