Fay Irene Von Gemmingen
Aug 9, 1946 -
Mar 15, 2024
Fay Irene (Laurie) Von Gemmingen was born on Aug. 9, 1946, in Anchorage, Alaska, to Robert and Vivian Laurie.
As a young child, Fay contracted polio and learned how to write with her left hand to continue her education. She graduated from West Anchorage High School in 1964. After graduation, she attended the University of Alaska Fairbanks, earning her Bachelor of Business with an emphasis in accounting. While at the UAF, she met her husband, Patrick, and enjoyed 52 years of marriage prior to his passing in December 2019. They settled in Anchorage to build their individual Certified Public Accountant (CPA) practices before retiring in Palmer mid-2000. Fay had a passion for giving back to her community. She joined the International Order of Rainbow for Girls as a teenager and earned the Grand Cross of Color. It is the highest award given for exceptional service. This sparked her love for philanthropy and serving the community, which she continued throughout her life.
Fay enjoyed being an active member of organizations including, Pioneers of Alaska Women's Igloo #4, Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, Anchorage Convention and Visitor's Bureau, Anchorage Economic Development Corporation, Anchorage Museum Foundation, American Society of Women Accountants National Director, Alaska Women's Political Caucus, Alaska Federation of Republican Women, President of the Anchorage Estate Planning Council, ATHENA Society induction into the class of 1994, and Soroptimist International of Cook Inlet, where she was given the Women of Distinction Award in 1999. She served as First Vice President of the Alaska Municipal League in 2001 and then President in 2003.
Most notably, Fay served on the Anchorage Assembly from 1995-2004, serving as Chairperson three times and Vice Chairperson three times. She was known for her no-nonsense meetings and was well-respected by the other 10 assembly members, city officials and the community. As a CPA, she was extremely interested in the activities of the internal audit staff, payroll problems, computer technology upgrades and property valuations.
Fay was a candidate for lieutenant governor as the running mate to Independent Andrew Halcro in 2006. Fay is survived by her son, Scott (Cathy) of Anchorage; daughter, Tamara of Anchorage; granddaughters, Ariana Benavides and Ava Von Gemmingen of California; brother, Robert Laurie Jr. of Juneau; siste,r Laurie Richmond of Redmond, Ore.; sister-in-law, Janene (Laren) Southcott of Bellingham, Wash.; nieces, Corrine Verna, Tracy Lewis, Lyssa Richmond and Kristen Ray; nephews, Jason Richmond, Lauren Ray and Colin Ray; and many cousins and countless friends. Fay is preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Vivian Laurie; sister, Alison (SonE) Lewis; and husband, Patrick.
The burial will be held at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at Angelus Memorial Park, 440 E. Klatt Road, followed by a celebration of life at O'Malley's on the Green from 4-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Fay's name to the Food Bank of Alaska. The family would like to express gratitude to Rabe Assisted Living and Ancora Home Health and Hospice for their love and care of Fay.
