Marion Terwilliger

Jan 7, 1934 -

Nov 6, 2026

Marion Patricia "Pat" (Cozzens) Terwilliger, 92, of Anchorage, Alaska, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Nov. 6, 2026. Known as Pat to most and Mom to many, she spent over 70 years serving the Lord in Alaska as a pastor's wife, church musician and piano teacher to hundreds.

Pat was born on Jan. 7, 1934, in Washington, D.C., to Marion and Frances Cozzens. As a young girl at Bible camp, she committed her life to the Lord Jesus Christ. A gifted pianist and vocalist, she enrolled at Bob Jones University at 17.

There she met Wendell Terwilliger, and they married in 1952. Called as missionaries, they sailed to Ketchikan, Alaska, a week later. In 1954, by faith, they moved to Haines, Alaska, where they founded Port Chilkoot Bible Church. Later serving with Gospel Missionary Union (now Avant) in Haines, Fairbanks, and Juneau, Alaska, they moved to Anchorage in 1978. Pat taught piano, directed choir and played at The Chapel by the Sea, and earned her Alaska Bible College degree in 1983.

In 1993, they planted the Indian Valley Bible Chalet, where Pat directed the music until 2023. Even at 90, she accompanied the Thursday Hymn Sing at Maple Springs Assisted Living.

Pat was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, The Rev. Wendell Terwilliger; her parents; and sister, June. She is survived by her brother, Dr. Robert Cozzens; seven children, Tim (Cindy), Teresa Peterson, Bonnie Fischer, Janette (The Rev. Tim) Davis, Daniel, The Rev. David (Lisa) and Elizabeth (The Rev. Eric) Kretschmer; 16 grandchildren; and 29 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., on Nov. 14, 2026, at The Chapel by the Sea; interment at Angelus Memorial Park beside her husband. We rejoice in the hope of seeing her again in our eternal home with the Lord Jesus Christ.