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Anne Katherine Harrison

1943 - 2025

Anne Katherine Harrison obituary, 1943-2025, Anchorage, AK

BORN

1943

DIED

2025

Anne Harrison Obituary

Anne Katherine Harrison (née Sloss), 82, passed away peacefully on June 25, 2025, at Maple Springs of Anchorage after a courageous struggle with Alzheimer's disease. She spent her final days in the loving presence of family and friends. Anne will be dearly missed.

She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother; a loving daughter, sister and aunt; and a loyal friend to many. She will be remembered for her kindness and generosity - whether through opening her home to others, decades of volunteer work, or her calling as a nurse practitioner.

Born on March 30, 1943, in Pasadena, California, to Donald and Bernadine Sloss, Anne was the second of five children. She attended Pasadena City College to obtain a nursing degree in 1965. Years later, she went back to school to complete the nurse practitioner program at California State University, Los Angeles. Her profession was a perfect match for her nurturing personality, and her identity was closely tied to this calling.

Her life was full of adventure, much of it courtesy of her rakish husband, William (Will) Harrison. Will's job as a glaciologist at the University of Alaska Fairbanks brought them to Alaska in the dead of winter in 1971. Anne's first thought was "What have I gotten myself into?" But in true Anne fashion, she adapted - tough, resourceful, and determined. Though those first years were lonely, with Will often traveling for work, Anne built a strong social network and came to love Alaska deeply.

More adventures followed: extended stays on glaciers, where she served as a camp cook and a motherly presence, countless camping trips with her family, and travels in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, South America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

Anne's sons, Tom and Dan, were born in Fairbanks in 1972 and 1978, respectively. Like nursing, being a mother was an integral part of her identity. It was a role she handled with love, grace, and occasional half-hearted spankings. In turn, her children adored her, and will carry her memory with affection and gratitude.

In her limited free time, Anne enjoyed doting on her beloved pets, gardening and arranging flowers, dashing off postcards to loved ones, and occasionally ranting about noise pollution from air boats on the Tanana River.

Outside of Alaska, her favorite place was the family cottage in New Brunswick, Canada, near Will's hometown. This tranquil retreat on the Saint John River was a home away from home and a cherished base for staying connected to Canadian relatives.

Anne was predeceased by her brother, William Sloss (1972); parents, Donald Sloss (2003) and Bernadine Linnan Sloss (2005); husband, William Harrison (2020); and sister, Ellen Sloss Newkirk (2024).

She is survived by her sons, Tom and Dan Harrison; their spouses, Katie Harrison (née Zellmer) and Sarah Anthony; granddaughter, Stella Harrison; brother, John Sloss and sister, Elizabeth Sloss; their spouses, Kathy Sloss and James Korelitz; sister-in-law, Barbara Sloss; and Ellen's partner, John Duston. Surviving members of her extended family include ten beloved nieces and nephews and close cousin Carroll Samuelson.

We love and miss you, Anne. What a life you lived.

A celebration of Anne's life will be held in June 2026, details to be determined. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Nature Conservancy, nature.org/en-us, or the Alaska SPCA, alaskaspca.org, in Anne's memory would be greatly appreciated.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Daily News-Miner on Jul. 9, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
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Leon Smith

July 14, 2025

I was one of the many wayward youths that Anne and Will opened their home to. I don't know what my life would be like without their positive influence. Anne would always see the best in me. I can still hear her words reminding us to 'use your judgment'. She trusted that we were capable and could do better. She was firm in her lovingness. I only wish I could have expressed my gratitude more while she was around. Thank you so much Anne.

Jenny M

July 14, 2025

Anne and Will were wonderful neighbors. We enjoyed many an afternoon drinking tea at her kitchen counter and many an Easter creating and enjoying cheese blintzes and jams. Anne made the best salad dressings and always had the most amazing christmas cactuses and many other marvelous plants in addition to the animal menagerie of birds and cats and dogs. I will forever remember her quick laugh and bright eyes full of delight. Thank you Anne!

BP

July 14, 2025

My condolences to the family. I am very sorry for your loss. May you receive strength and peace from God. Romans 15:13

Katey

July 13, 2025

Ann and Will took me in during a particularly tough period of my life and I will always be grateful to them for that. They were lovely people that have and will be missed so much.

April Crosby

July 13, 2025

Anne! I so enjoyed our hikes together and so loved your joyful heart. Rest in peace.

Tasha Thompson Bergt

July 13, 2025

Anne and Will were such wonderful neighbors up on the beloved Chena Ridge. Anne was a blessing during my dad´s last days providing much needed love and nourishment when during our darkest time. We will remember her with fondness forever.

Bianca

July 11, 2025

She would come to the feed store where I worked. She was such a nice lady and by far one of my favorite customers. We did find out we had mutual friends. To read that She passed away made me sad.

Myra Helmer

July 10, 2025

Anne and Will were great parents and were instrumental in their son's education. She was proud of their accomplishments, keeping me updated. She gave a great deal of herself in a care group of fantastic retired nurses to foot care for seniors. She and her wit will be greatly missed.
Sincerely,
Myra Helmer

Michael MacDonald

July 10, 2025

Wonderful memories of Anne. She and Will allowed me to "do whatever" to pretty up their spiral staircase and housesit when they were out of town. A welcome treat to have a furnace and running water.

Cindy Lentine

July 10, 2025

I got to know Anne when our sons played on the same hockey teams. I always enjoyed being around her - she had a quick smile, thoughtful advice, and a truly kind spirit.

Brian Miller

July 9, 2025

It cannot be emphasized enough how great Anne was about opening her home to others. If any of Tom or Dan´s friends were ever in a tough spot, Anne would make sure they had a safe place to stay, and if they didn´t, she would welcome them to stay with her and Will. I was one of them, and I am so grateful for her kindness to me at a time I really needed it. Love you Anne.

Karen

July 9, 2025

Oh Anne, every year when we go to Alaska to visit family, I would think of you and wish I could see you. I couldn't seem to find you. Thank you for all your volunteering at Hospice. But mostly, for being my cheerleader when I served as volunteer coordinator. I'll never forget when you sat in my dining room and told me, "You are the heart of hospice." What a gift you were in my life and the many patients you served at hospice. PLUS all the caring and loving you did serving at Feet First. I still have the tool you gave me. Peace and condolences to your family. Alzheimers is such a cruel disease. Karen Callahan, Layton Utah.

Joanna Young

July 9, 2025

Anne was a surrogate Fairbanks grandma to me during my graduate studies at UAF, and I will be forever grateful for her opening her home and heart to me when I was so far from home and family. Chatting about our families and our shared connections to Canada made me feel like home wasn't so far away. She will be missed dearly by all of the people she adopted into her warm circle <3

Roman Motyka

July 9, 2025

Thanks for the news. Anne was indeed a kind, generous, and gracious person. Anne was indeed a kind, generous, intelligent, and gracious person. I enjoyed Anne and Will's hospitality on many occasions. Anne had a great affinity for animals and house plants. Even ferrets!

Jackie SUNNYBOY

July 9, 2025

Anne was such a kind and caring person who worked with her clients with such respect and dignity. She was such a joy to be around. Condolence to family and friends

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