Jonna Lyn Robinson

Nov 17, 1969 -

Apr 22, 2020

Jonna Lyn Robinson, 50 years old, succumbed to colon cancer at her home in Wasilla, Alaska, on Wednesday, April 22, 2020. Jonna was surrounded by loving family and friends. She was preceded in death by her father, John Jacob Feringa.

Jonna was born to John and Gayle Feringa in Long Beach, Calif.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Dan Robinson; daughters, Desiree Feringa and Chloe Standifer; granddaughters, Andrea Feringa and Lily Standifer; sister, Stephanie Franzen (Kris); nieces, Kaiti and Holly Franzen; and mother, Gayle Feringa.

She received her cosmetology degree and worked as a hair stylist for many years, until she moved with her family to Anchorage, Alaska, in 1998.

Jonna was seen by many as a warrior. She was an advocate and educator at NAMI for Mental Health and worked on a state level to change legislation for mental illness.

She later worked at The Lung Association and was a champion for improving lung health, a subject she was deeply affected by when her father passed away from lung disease. She loved her role in organizing the annual Clean Air Challenge, an event that raised revenue to help prevent lung disease.

Jonna was an office administrator at Tyonek Native Corporation, where she worked closely with many people who became lifelong friends.

In fall 2017, shortly after her marriage to Dan Robinson, she was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. She became an advocate for early cancer screening. Her mission was to use her story to make people aware of the importance of early cancer detection.

Jonna and the love of her life Dan only had two short years of marriage, but they had a love that was such a beautiful gift for both of them. He adored her, taking care of her and holding her close until she left this world.

Jonna was a gift to so many. Not only did she lighten everyone's spirits with her playful sense of humor, she always kept it real and was unapologetically herself, no matter what.

How fortunate we all are to have crossed paths with her.

We are all better people for it.