Sharilyn Mumaw
Nov 11, 1950 -
Nov 3, 2024
Sharilyn Irene Mumaw passed away at Alaska Regional Hospital on Nov. 3, 2024. She was 73.
Born to Dr. Everett and Lyda Mumaw in Cleveland, Ohio, her life was one of exploration and discovery as she lived for new ventures and adventures. She moved to Alaska with her rabbit in tow in the early 1970s. Her life was one of service and commitment to her family and community.
The first female and first University of Alaska Anchorage student regent, she completed her bachelor's degrees at UAA and her master's degree at the University of Alaska Southeast.
She was an early user of the then new insulin pump in the 1980s. A type 1 diabetic since childhood, she was the first insulin pump user in the state of Alaska to deliver a child by natural childbirth in 1983. She used her skills as a research assistant to catalog the experience and provide data for other pregnant pump users.
Along with her husband she was active in supporting and developing many community activities. She served on the board of directors and in officer positions at Greater Anchorage Inc., the Fur Rendezvous.
She spent many years as a volunteer coordinator for events at the Great Alaska Shootout each Thanksgiving from it's inception.
A performer at Renaissance fairs in Alaska and throughout the west coast, along with her husband, she created the Alchemists Guild and Krakow Puppet Theater for what is now the Three Barons Renaissance Fair. She created the puppets for the Krakow Puppet Theater and performed with Three Barons Fair for 30 years of the festival.
In the Lower 48, she performed with Royal Magic of Seattle and BOOM Pirates in Washington, Oregon, and California, in a number of festivals over the past 20 years. When limited mobility required her to use a mobility cart, a friend created a pirate ship wrap around for the cart, highlighting how a cart could be used for fairs in costume.
Each year she donned pirate grab to assist with an authentic history display they created at the Pirate Pub Crawl that supports the Blood Bank of Alaska.
She was a sprint dog musher with the Alaskan Sled Dog and Racing Association in limited class mushing along with her husband and daughter.
She was volunteer coordinator for the 1996 Chugiak Eagle River Arctic Winter games.
In her work life she held a number of positions at UAA, Municipality of Anchorage, the State of Alaska, private businesses and community groups, retiring as UAA's Research Compliance Officer in 2019.
Active for many years at St. Andrew Church in Eagle River, Alaska, she sang in the choir and was a eucharistic minister.
She was a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Eagle River Flotilla and held staff officer positions.
In retirement she enjoyed annual visits to Poipu, Kauai, and trips to the festivals around the west. An avid online gamer, she had digital friends around the world.
Sharilyn is survived by her husband of 47 years, Melvin Kalkowski; and daughter, Melody Kalkowski in Alaska; as well as sisters, Lydalyn, Lorraine and Donnalyn; and brother, Gregory of Ohio. She was preceded in death by her brother David.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Sharilyn Mumaw to UAA. Contributions may be made online at engage.alaska.edu; please note "In Memory of Sharilyn Mumaw."
Services are scheduled for St. Andrew Catholic Church in Eagle River on Nov. 23, 2024, at 11 a.m., interment at Fort Richardson National Cemetery on Nov. 25, 2024. The service will be livestreamed at St. Andrew - Eagle River, AK.
