Alaska Mills Chapin was born March 27, 1916, in Sparta, N.C. to William Harvey Shupe and Maude Beatrice Stamper.

Alaska passed away peacefully with her family present on Sunday morning, Aug. 19, 2007, at the age of 91.

At the age of 12 Alaska and her family moved from North Carolina to Forrest Hill, Md. Alaska was the middle child and only girl among eight children.

At the age of 17 she met and fell in love with Byron Mills.

One year later, on July 31, 1934, Byron and Alaska were married.

Their first daughter Shirley was born in 1936 followed by their second daughter, Beverly, 14 months later. Then in 1944 their third daughter, Jane, was born.

In 1946 Byron and Alaska traveled west to visit Byron’s brother, Woody Mills, who was living in Langley.

The Mills family fell in love with Whidbey Island, enchanted by the island life, with its beauty, abundance of wildlife and the friendliness of its people. They sold everything, packed up their girls and in August 1947 moved to Whidbey Island.

Alaska loved the simple country life that allowed her to do her favorite things including gardening, canning and raising animals.

Two years after the death of her husband Byron in 1957, Alaska married Harry Chapin, a long time resident of the island.

With this new marriage, Alaska gained three additional daughters and a son; Ellen Mae, Sandra, Virginia and David.

Alaska spent many years busy with activities in the community. She was active in the Rhododendron Rebekah Lodge, as well as an avid volunteer at the Bayview Senior Center.

Alaska was especially fond of the Island County Fair where, in 1972, she was awarded the Grand Sweepstakes prize with 54 blue ribbons for her fruits, vegetables, needleworks and her canned and baked goods.

In her later years Alaska spent her time enjoying life on her farm surrounded by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Alaska is preceded in death by her two husbands, her grandson Raymond Yanda and her great-granddaughter, Breanna Ecklebarger.

She is survived by her three daughters, Shirley King of Langley, Beverly Loyer of Clinton and Jane Ecklebarger of Tipp City, Ohio; stepdaughters, Ellen Mae of Seattle, Sandra Day of Gresham, Ore., Virginia Davis of Langley and her stepson, David Chapin. She is also survived by her seven grandchildren, 12 step-grandchildren and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Come and celebrate Alaska’s life at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22, at the Langley United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Heartland Church, 25 N. 45th St., Tipp City, OH, 45371.