Elizabeth "Betty" Jessie Anagick

Dec 18, 2025

Elizabeth "Betty" J. Anagick, 99, passed away on Dec. 18, 2025, in Anchorage, Alaska.

Born in Koyuk, Betty was the eldest great-grandchild of Chief Nashalook. From an early age, Betty understood the importance of education and to attend high school. Back then, formal childhood schooling lasted only through the 8th grade; Betty attended 8th grade twice because she did not want to quit school. She was willing to leave Unalakleet; her mother needed help to raise her siblings, so she could not continue her education. Betty soon married Lowell Anagick, and together they raised nine children. As her children grew older, Betty made up her mind that she would not stop them from leaving home to get an education. Since she always wanted to finish high school, Betty eventually studied for and passed the high school equivalency test. She then enrolled in the University of Alaska distance learning program and earned an associate college degree while she worked as a teacher's aide.

One of the greatest joys in Betty's life was her time teaching and seeing young students catch on while learning to read or learning the concepts of math.

Betty found joy in the activities of living a subsistence lifestyle. She would be fishing at the North River bridge in Unalakleet every summer, hunt every fall and plant two large gardens each spring to help keep her family fed during the long winter months.

Betty was one of the fluent Inupiaq speakers in Unalakleet. She was respected for her indigenous-based knowledge of the climate and natural world. In 2021, Betty was honored as the Alaska Federation of Natives Elder of the year award at the Bering Straits Native Corporation 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Betty inspired her children and grandchildren, who went on to have successful careers in law, business, accounting, medicine and other professions. The Johnson family provided care and companionship for many years for Betty, from sharing meals, to taking her to participate in subsistence activities and drives into the hills. Her grandchildren Shelley and Traeger Johnson lived with and cared for her following the death of her husband and in the final years of her life.

Betty is survived by her children Rose, Dorothy, Ella Anagick Jr. and Joan Johnson, Gail and Ed Schubert, Gwen Anagick Walters; sisters, Rachel Lestenkof, Emily Nanouk; brother, Alfred Nanouk; numerous grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and cousins. She is preceded in death by her husband, Lowell Anagick Sr.; daughter, Martha Aarons; sons, Gary, Charles Arley, Lowell Anagick Jr. (Boyce), Edgar Anagick; brothers, Roger and Marin Nanouk; sisters, MaryAnn Haugen, Henrietta Rhodes, RuthCarol Hykes; and parents, Peter and Martha Nanouk.