RuthAnne Dunbar

RuthAnne Dunbar, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away of congestive heart failure on Jan. 10, 2019, in her home, exactly seven weeks after her husband of 65 years, Jack Dunbar, passed.
RuthAnne was born on Sept. 5, 1931, to Darius and Mary Lee Davis in Wilbur, W.Va. She married Jack Dunbar on July 3, 1953, in Miles City, Mont. After coming west on a train to Montana from Illinois to get married – while waiting on a cement job - RuthAnne made a comfortable and loving home all over the Lower 48 while the family followed oil field jobs from state to state, eventually landing them in Anchorage, Alaska, in June 1974. RuthAnne thought their time in Alaska would be short, but little did she know that it would become her home for the rest of her life. RuthAnne fell in love with Alaska and instantly immersed herself in all the state had to offer. She was a huge fan of the Iditarod and met many of the mushers over the years. She never missed the Anchorage Fur Rendezvous or the Alaska State Fair. She loved her flowers and trips to Bells Nursery, having lunch with her friends from the "Birthday Club" and her "bling." She was also a Lady Shriner.
RuthAnne was the picture perfect mom. Her home always smelled of fresh baked goods or something cooking on the stove. She was the ultimate food pusher. Whether you were a friend, delivery or repairman, it was hard to leave without a "treat" from Ruthie or at least a box of See's Candy for the road. In the early days it was hard to beat her smoked salmon. She never met a stranger and had a heart as big as Alaska, which she gladly shared with those in need. Whether it was money, a shoulder to cry on, honest advice or a place to stay, she was there. It was the family joke that if you had stock in Philadelphia Brand Cream Cheese or See's Candy to sell immediately when Ruth passed away. RuthAnne was an incredible mother and grand-mother to not only her own family, but to their friends as well. Many "special" sandwiches and treats were made for lunch, after school, football and soccer practice, and after many horse shows. She touched so many lives and will be missed by many.
She is survived by her daughter, Jacque Narrell (Larry)of Flowermound, Texas; son, Billy Dunbar (Jackie) of Anchorage; grandson, Brandan Narrell (Marci) of Flowermound; granddaughter, Ashley Dunbar (Logan Barber) of Anchorage; and great-grandchildren, Taylor, Brynn, Jackson and Kinsley Narrell of Texas and Wyatt Barber, Alaska; and her siblings Jim, Lloyd and Bobby Davis and Nellie Essery.
Her mother, father, youngest sister and her husband preceded RuthAnne in death.
Her Memorial Service will be held on Monday, Jan. 28, 2019, at 4 p.m. at Heritage Chapel at Angelus, 440 East Klatt Road in Anchorage, followed by a Celebration of Life and reception at The Alaska Zoo, Gateway Hall, 4731 O'Malley Road in Anchorage, starting at 5:30 p.m. In her honor, we will be sharing some of RuthAnne's favorite treats.
The family would like to thank the caregivers at Anchorage Home Care, Lynetta Grant and Anchorage Hospice for all of the special help, care and compassion in taking care of not only RuthAnne, but the family, in this trying time.
Memorial donations may be made to the Lady Shriners of Alaska, 518 East 14th Avenue, Ste. 16, Anchorage, AK 99501.