Glennis E. Ireland

May 23, 1943 -

Feb 11, 2025

Glennis Eleanor Ireland, age 81, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, after suffering a stroke several weeks earlier.

Glennis was born on May 23, 1943, in East London, South Africa, and was raised in both Pretoria and Kimberly. Glennis graduated at the Teacher's Training College in Grahamstown, and taught needlework and general education at Bloemfontein schools for six years.

In 1968 in Bloemfontein, Glennis met and fell in love with Roy Ireland. They married on July 3, 1971, and in January 1973, they moved half way around the world to Anchorage, Alaska. They started with a family and had a son, Michael, and then daughter, Kathryn. In 1981, they purchased their home for 40 years in Eagle River, Alaska.

Glennis initially sought to continue her teaching career but, instead, she chose to stay with her children and started a career running a small day care center in her home. Glennis would carry on with childcare for approximately 40 years, during which time she cared for and instilled the gifts of kindness, curiosity and love of nature in scores of children. Glennis remained in contact with most of these children.

Glennis was a lifelong volunteer. Glennis worked with the Boy Scouts of America for decades, providing training for adult leaders. Glennis was a member of the Order of the Arrow, earning four beads, and was the recipient of the Silver Beaver award. Glennis attended and taught at the Wood Badge leadership course and was a member of the Beaver Patrol.

Glennis worked with Alaska voting for decades. Glennis ran a voting precinct, and she was also named the Chair of the Alaska Election Commission. Glennis worked for the PTA for local schools and at the state level. Glennis was a volunteer for Ushering in the Arts. Glennis served as the manager of the Alaska Children's Choir and accompanied them on tours around the world.

Glennis was a proud hockey mom, helping to lead both of her children's teams over the years. Many will remember Glennis's fierce devotion to the Alaska Aces hockey.

Glennis loved visiting the Alaska Zoo, especially taking watermelons to her favorite animal, Maggie, the African elephant. Glennis spent much of her free time gardening, hiking, fishing, doting on her many animals and doing photography. Glennis enjoyed camping in the land she loved, Alaska.

Glennis always maintained a loving home that was always open to friends and family.

Glennis was preceded in death by her parents, Abraham and Ruth Rothwell; and daughter-in-law, Michelle Lewis. Glennis is survived by her husband of 53 years, Roy; children, Michael (wife Jalynn, grandchildren Allison and Brexley) and Kathryn; brother, Bryan (nieces Robyn and Brenda); numerous cousins, nieces and nephews; and the hundreds of kids and kits she cared for through the years.

A Celebration of Life for Glennis will be held on April 13, 2025, at 4 p.m., at Camp Gorsuch. All are invited to attend and share memories of our wonderful, loving, caring, pun-dropping Glennis.