Sharon Elizabeth Magier

Sharon Elizabeth Stone passed from life October 22, 2019 at her home in Girdwood, Alaska. She was born September 4, 1943 in Richmond, Virginia, the only child of Eleanor Louise Davis and Charles Edward Stone. She grew up in Grifton, North Carolina and was a graduate of the University of North Carolina. She became a research technician at the University of Virginia Medical Center, but in 1971 Sherry realized a dream of coming to Alaska. Her anticipation was not disappointed even though the first winters were much colder than now (-25 degrees F). She fell in love with the “Last Frontier” ambience, the midnight sun, and the short cold light of mid-winter. In 1974, her son, Alexei, was born and she completed her nursing degree at the University of Alaska. She took a job as Alaska Court System Visitor, making assessments for court cases involving guardian/conservator issues. In this rôle she traveled throughout Alaska interviewing people in their local environment, making many friends in the Alaska Native communities and with old “sourdoughs” of every type. In the late 1980s, she transitioned to Deputy Coroner for Alaska. She was fascinated by police procedures and enjoyed working with local police and State Troopers. She developed a talent for tracking down distant relatives of folks who had died alone in Alaska. With the reorganization of the Coroner’s office in the 1990s, she moved to the state office of vital statistics in Anchorage and as part of her duties served as magistrate and performed marriages in the office which she much enjoyed. In 2004, she retired as a State of Alaska employee to become general contractor for a remodel and expansion of her weekend ski chalet in Girdwood, with the intention of making this her “last house”. The resulting structure is situated high up a glacier valley 40 miles from Anchorage with a beautiful view of numerous glaciers, Northern Lights, and roaming moose and bears at no extra charge. Sherry never ceased to marvel at how she ended up in such a beautiful place, with her large garden and friendly neighbors. She loved her life in Alaska, loved her family and pets, was generally phlegmatic and able to deal effectively with annoying people or problems without the situation deteriorating. Sherry is survived by her devoted life companion of 41 years, David Barrett, of Girdwood, and her son Alexei Barrett Magier of Anchorage. Her burial in Woodland Cemetery in Ashland, Virginia will take place at a later date.