Obituary from the Fairbanks, Alaska, "Daily News-Miner" newspaper, dated Sunday, January 17, 2010, page B2:

Gay Lynn (Anderson) Alexander died unexpectedly at home on Jan. 11, 2010. Her husband, Tom, and daughter, Keva, were with her. Daughter Haley had just left to return to law school after spending the holidays with her family.

Gay was born to Doris and Ben Anderson on June 24, 1955, in Beaumont, Texas. She was the third of four children. Her family moved to Fairbanks in 1969, and although she didn't know it at the time, that year she would meet the love of her life, Tom, at Ryan Junior High. She graduated from Lathrop High School in 1973 where she excelled in academics, was a valued member of the Lathrop Malemute Band and entertained everyone with her baton twirling routines.

Gay attended the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1973 and transferred to Oregon State University in 1975. There, she earned a bachelor's degree in marketing in 1978. Always striving for more, she returned to UAF and graduated with a bachelor's of business administration in accounting and a minor in computer sciences in 1981.

Gay married Tom Alexander on June 27, 1981. Throughout their 29 years of marriage, Tom and Gay were each other's best friends and had a lively relationship that reflected their love of life.

In her professional career, Gay was a certified public accountant. She spent five years at KMG Main Hurdman and nearly 20 years as the controller for GDM Architects.

Her second career began in the mid 1980s with the birth of her daughters, Haley and Keva. Gay was a loving mother and always active in her daughters' lives. She was involved in school events, sporting leagues and always volunteered to serve on committees. The family enjoyed their Harding Lake cabin year round, and Gay owned a dry suit that allowed her to water ski when few dared.

She volunteered constantly, whether flipping burgers at the UAF alumni fair booth or through her 21 years of service in Quota International. A favorite activity was the Quota monthly birthday parties at the Pioneers' Home, and she had her two young daughters serving cake and ice cream to the residents. Gay was passionate about her community, and her service enhanced many lives.

Gay is survived by her husband, Tom, daughters, Haley and Keva; brother Duane Anderson and wife Nancy; brother Dale Anderson and wife Laurie; sister Judy Anderson and husband Harold Honath; sister and brother in-laws Linda and Rod Harvey; niece Sandy Harrington, husband Phil and son Alex; nephew Tom Alexander, wife Chandra and their children Nick and Naomai; and a host of relatives in Texas. Gay was preceded in death by her parents, Ben and Doris Anderson.

Visitation will be held from 5 -7 p.m. at Chapel of Chimes on Wednesday, Jan. 20. A memorial service will be held Thursday, Jan. 21 at 3 p.m. at Fairbanks Lutheran Church; a reception will follow at the Binkley Room in Pike's Waterfront Lodge. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Fairbanks Pioneers' Home, the American Diabetes Association or to a charity of your choice. We love you, Gay!