A deadly head-on vehicle accident on the Kenai Peninsula closed the Sterling Highway in both directions near the community of Clam Gulch on the morning of Dec. 21, according to Alaska State Troopers. The Sterling Highway was reopened just after 4 p.m.

Both drivers, the only occupants of each vehicle, died in the collision. Troopers identified the victims as Brandon Ihde, 40, of Kenai, and Ane Mane, 61, of Homer.

Mane was well known to the community of Homer as a naturopathic doctor and licensed acupuncturist and was in practice for more than 15 years. Her bio on the Seldovia Village Tribe Health and Wellness clinic website shares her practice credentials: She graduated from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon, with a doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine and a Master of Science in Oriental Medicine.

Mane enjoyed getting to know her patients as individuals and was often continually amazed by how much natural medicine can improve people’s lives, according to her personal statement still posted on the SVT website. She appreciated working with an organization that does a tremendous amount for the community, she wrote. Mane also had a private care practice at the Salt and Pine building in Homer and at other times has practiced for the communities of Seldovia, Anchor Point and Ninilchik.

Holly Sanger, owner of the Salt|Pine business and building in Homer knew her personally.

“Ane operated her life selflessly … always putting everyone and everything ahead of herself. She was THAT person that made EVERYONE feel like a SOMEBODY. No matter how brief the encounter, if Ane touched your life, it left a positive and lasting impact.

“We each saw different aspects of Ane’s world, from the ultimate caregiver to comedy relief, to caring friend, to the Queen of recycling, to the Mother Teresa of the animal kingdom … and the list goes on. No matter how each of us knew Ane, as a community, we will grieve her collectively and together feel the void she leaves behind in our lives and hearts. The world would be blessed to have more people like Ane Mane. She will be missed dearly.”

Sanger noted, “Ane also fiercely protected all animals.”

Mane attended Waterbury, Connecticut, schools and graduated from Wilby High School in 1978 with an early graduation attributable to academic excellence. She graduated from the University of Connecticut with a degree in chemistry and worked in several petro-chemical industries as a chemist with companies in various states. Following that she began her naturopathic and licensed acupuncture career.

In correspondence from her brother, Mane had a witty, yet compassionate composure in life. She loved her family and friends despite some of the distances separating her from her youth. She loved to travel, exploring the earth’s greatest treasures. Backpacking, hitchhiking and foreign travel were all part of her passion.

Mane is predeceased by her father Servet Mane. She is survived by her mother Mary Mane of Plymoth, CT, her brother Luan Mane (Debbie) of Litchfield, CT, and her nephew Gregory Mane (Rachel) and their children Reagan and Hadley.

Emilie Springer can be reached at esspringer@alaska.edu