Violet Nora Mack

Jan. 13, 1936 – Oct. 17, 2021

Violet Nora Mack passed away peacefully in Soldotna, Alaska on Oct. 17, 2021. She was 84 years old.

Violet Nora Mack (Blatchford) was born Jan. 13, 1936, in Golovin, Alaska, to parents Jenny Lee (Carlson) and Charles Blatchford. She was one of 17 children. When her father and oldest brother went hunting one day and never returned, she moved with her mother and the younger siblings to Homer, Alaska. She was 13 years old.

In Homer she met her first husband Paul Jones whom she married in 1953. Together they had four children: Larry, Brenda, Roland and Alfred. She made her living in those days fishing the waters of Cook Inlet and Kachemak Bay with her husband and children. She always spent her free time teaching her kids the traditions of her culture and caring for her family, friends and neighbors.

After divorcing Paul in 1966, she moved to Kenai where she started her business, Upik Fur Products, and later remarried. She had her fifth child, Cody Jr. with her second husband Cody Mack whom she was married to from 1969-1984. She owned and operated Upik Fur Products for over 38 years, making beautiful fur garments and slippers. She was well known for her little seals and walruses that were sold in gift shops across the state.

After retiring, she married her good friend Jack Alto. Before he passed in 2010, they shared many adventures together. She made a good life in Kenai and was a member of many organizations and clubs including the Moose Lodge and her favorite spot, the Eagles Club where she played pinocle every Saturday and was on the Ladies Auxiliary. She was proud to be a member of the Kenaitze Indian Tribe, Kenai Native Association and a CIRI shareholder.

Violet enjoyed life. She loved her family. And she is loved and cherished by many. While some are content watching life happen, Violet lived it. She had countless friends, an open heart and open home to anybody who needed a meal, a place to stay or just a laugh. And boy did she really laugh.

Violet is proceeded in death by her parents, Jenny Lee and Charles; brothers, Percy, Charlie, Charles, Kinegan, Pete, Peter, Joe, Allen, Andy and Alfred; sisters, Molly, Florence, Bernice, Charlotte; daughter, Brenda and son, Cody; grandchildren, Jessica and Randall, as well as husbands Paul, Cody and Jack.

She is survived in life by sisters, Rose and Gladys; sons, Larry Jones, Roland Jones and Alfred Jones; 19 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and countless friends and associates that she considered family.

We will all continue to celebrate her life and treasure any time and memories spent with her. Her family welcomes anyone who would like to share their stories at a memorial service to be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, at the Eagles Club in Kenai.

Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel in Kenai.