Maryann Evalyn Calvin March 27, 1933 - November 19, 2016

Maryann Evalyn Calvin, 83, longtime resident of Sitka, Alaska, passed away peacefully on November 19 in Sisters, with family by her side. Maryann was born March 27, 1933, in Duluth, Minnesota, to Evalyn and Roger Henricksen. One of eight children, Maryann grew up as the always-willing helper to her parents both with other siblings and customers for her father's various retail enterprises. She carried this proactive attitude coupled with humor and selfless service to others throughout her life.

Maryann graduated from University of Minnesota, (Duluth) with a degree in medical technology. She met her future husband, Sitkan Larry Calvin, while on a ski trip with her brothers to Alta, Utah. Entranced by stories from her fiancé of the romantic life as a fisherman's wife, she moved with him to Sitka in 1962, and they were married in St. Peters Episcopal Church. Then followed several lean but enjoyable years working with wonderful colleagues at Sitka Community Hospital in the medical technology department, while tending to her growing family.

Maryann's extensive volunteer service to St. Peters Episcopal Church, Sitka schools, Sheldon Jackson Museum and the Sitka community was deep and lasting-she was one of a handful of go-getter parents to found the Baranof Barracuda Swim Club in 1979. On Halloween, to her children's horror, she would swoop into grade-school classrooms on a broomstick dressed as a wicked witch complete with blacked out teeth and piercing cackle. Maryann was active with the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and sought advancement in women's rights issues.

In 1968, Maryann and Larry purchased the decrepit former cannery buildings of the Pyramid Packing Company on Katlian Street and started Baranof Building Supply. The lumber and hardware store was sold to Spenards in 1980, while the old cannery buildings continue their multi-year renovation journey as Fisherman's Quay LLC, under family management. With retirement at hand, Maryann picked up a new passion-running, often in brightly colored tie-dye outfits. Some of her most memorable excursions around the world include running on the Great Wall in China and strolling with penguins in Antarctica.

Maryann is survived by brothers Stan and Dwane Henricksen of Duluth, MN; husband Larry Calvin of Sitka; four sons, Christopher (Penny) Carstarphen of Perry, Iowa, Kristopher (May Fan) of Sisters, Eric of Sitka, Leif (Tammy Carter) of Santa Rosa, CA; a daughter Karen (Robert Woodard) of Snohomish, WA; and 11 precious grandchildren-all of whom will miss her lovely smile and warm hugs sooo much.

The Calvin family is grateful for the genuine and compassionate care provided to Mom by Ashley, Sarah, and Alyssa of Absolute Serenity Adult Foster Home in Sisters and Hospice/Partners in Care. A memorial service is scheduled for August 5 in Sitka, Alaska.