Remembering PASS’s Alaska “Mom”
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- Published: June 11, 2015
Family. It’s at the heart of a union. It is why PASS members call each other “brother” and “sister.” The family spirit of PASS goes deeper than fellow members. Families of PASS members—brothers, sisters, children, parents—are welcomed into the greater PASS family. And, this month, PASS lost a very important, very present member of the PASS family with the passing of Chapter AK3 President Vikki McCoy’s mother, Wanda Lorene Pennington Ivy.
At the age of 88, Ivy had lived a long, exciting life—one that has involved PASS at every step. According to a 2013 profile on McCoy, her mother was Chapter AK3’s most ardent supporter. “She loves to go with me to our chapter meetings and rarely misses a chance to join with her union ‘kids,’” said McCoy. “Everyone has adopted 'Mom' as our union mascot—though she does bribe them with homemade peach cobbler on occasion! Attendance at meetings is growing as word gets out about the cobbler. I support anything that works to increase chapter participation—even if I have to buy the peaches myself!”
The close connection between mother/daughter and PASS highlights the importance of bringing personal family into the union family fold. “I know Vikki’s mom had an impact on everyone she met, just as Vikki does every day,” said National Vice President Rich Casey. “She will be greatly missed by everyone she touched.”
“This bond is one example of how deep the PASS family goes,” added National President Mike Perrone. “You see it nationwide—husband and wife members, members who bring their children to events, siblings wearing their union pride together. Wanda was a fine example of what it means to be part of the PASS family. I know she will be remembered fondly for years to come.”
A Celebration of Wanda’s Life will be held at Anchorage Baptist Temple, 6401 E. Northern Lights Boulevard, Anchorage, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 16 at 6:30 p.m. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Pet Assisted Wellness Services (PAWS) program, which is managed by the Providence Alaska Foundation and can be directly contacted by calling 907-212-3600 or through their website: https://donate.providencealaskafoundation.org. Donations can also be made to the Senior Saints Sunday School class for the purchase of new gospel songbooks at Anchorage Baptist Temple through www.ABT.org.