Dora Uyamigaaq Aryak David

Obituary from the Fairbanks, Alaska "Daily News-Miner" newspaper, dated Wednesday, August 8, 2012, page B-2: Fairbanksan Dora Uyamigaaq Aryak David, 71, passed away Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, in Dawson City, Yukon Territory, Canada. She was born June 17, 1941, in Iqficuaq (Eek), to Nicholas Icuq David and Annie Taurluq David. She spent her early years in Kwigillingok and later moved to Bethel. Her father died when Dora was 8 years old. Although not allowed to go to school beyond the eighth grade, Dora later received her GED and studied nursing in Anchorage. Dora cared for many people in the Yukon Kuskokwim Delta Regional Hospital where she served as a licensed practical nurse. She was often requested by elders and by nervous parents of young children who were there to receive their shots. She was so popular she would care for as many as 250 people per day at the hospital. After 14 years in health care, Dora worked as translator and transcriber of the Yup'ik language at the Kuskokwim College in Bethel and at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. She wrote some of the first Yup'ik language children's books, including three original works that were published and used to teach bilingual studies. She was known as an eloquent Yup'ik and English speaker, and often was called upon by world-renowned linguists to distinguish the finer points of the Yup'ik language. Dora suffered a debilitating stroke in 1987, and was told she would never walk again. Through her relentless determination and courage, she walked with the use of a cane. Dora's compassion, encouragement and unwavering friendship helped her to unselfishly give her time in hopes of touching people's lives and souls. She volunteered for 14 years at Access Alaska, and also volunteered at the Denali Center and the Fairbanks Memorial Hospital. She was recognized by first lady Susan Knowles with the First Lady's Volunteer Award and received a Presidential Citation from President Bill Clinton. Dora was a strong advocate and supporter of people who live with disabling conditions and provided significant testimony on several occasions to the City of Fairbanks, Fairbanks North Star Borough and the state of Alaska. Dora strived to do good from her youth as a winning dog musher to a nurse, a teacher, an author and mother. Dora was preceded in death by father and her mother, who died at 103. She is survived by the love of her life, John Waiste; her daughters and sons-in-law, Dia and Ron Taug, Kristi and Malcolm McEwen, and Elizabeth David; her grandson, Jacob Taug; her sisters and brothers-in-law, Carrie and Arthur Nelson, Matilda and Floyd Davidson, and Anna David and JR Thompson as well as many nieces and nephews. There was nothing that kept Dora from sharing her time, energy and loving words with her family and friends. Dora was known for her grace, kindness, generosity and her sense of humor. Dora's family requests you carry on her legacy of sending a thoughtful, handwritten card to a dear family member or friend to brighten their day. A celebration of life will be held at 7 p.m. today, Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012, at University Baptist Church. Friends and family are invited to join the family for a potluck immediately after the service. Come share a warm dish and your favorite memories of Dora. Arrangements cared for by Chapel of Chimes Funeral Home. .Published in Daily News-Miner on August 8, 2012