Matilda Davena

Nov 11, 1947 -

May 10, 2026

With deep love and sadness, we share the passing of Matilda Davena, beloved wife, mother, Konka, sister, aunt and friend, whose greatest joy in life was her family and bringing people together. Matilda was born in Koyuk, Alaska, on Nov. 11, 1947, and passed away peacefully in Anchorage, Alaska, surrounded by her family on May 10, 2026.

Matilda was raised in Koyuk, attended Mt. Edgecumbe High School and graduated from Nome-Beltz High School. While working in Nome after high school, she met and married Ron. Together they raised their three girls in Nome. Some of their happiest moments were spent at their cabin in Council, a place that brought peace, laughter and countless treasured summers with family and friends.

Matilda was the heart of her family. She had a gift for making everyone feel welcome – whether gathered around her dinner table, celebrating birthdays or holidays, or having coffee at her cabin in Council. Her home and cabin were a place of warmth, laughter, good food, storytelling and connection. She welcomed people from near and far and no one ever left hungry and no one ever left without feeling loved.

She was known for her wonderful cooking and baking, her sewing and knitting, her lively conversations, a good game of cribbage, pinochle or poker and her deep appreciation for family history and stories that connected generations together. She carried memories, traditions and relationships with great care and made sure those around her understood where they came from and their family connections.

To her family and friends, Matilda was more than a hostess or organizer of gatherings – she was the reason they came together. She created and planned moments that became special memories. Holidays were brighter, birthdays were celebrated more fully, native food feeds became more meaningful, simply because she made sure they happened.

Matilda is survived by her husband of 56 years, Ronald Davena; daughters, Jacquelyn Ahlstrand, Robyn and Janis Ivanoff (Kevin); grandchildren, Adrianne (Stephen), Dean (Jenna), Lian, JD, Glenn (Teigan), Reece and Luke; great-grandchildren, Ian and Ava; sister, Elvina Naranjo (Tom); close nieces, Isabelle Douglas, Darlene Dewey and Janelle Otton; and many more cousins, nieces and nephews; and chosen family the Fagerstroms and Lanes.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Moody Douglas and Elsie Adams; stepfather, Henry Adams; siblings, Raymond, Millie, Clarence, Hilma, Einar and Daniel; and in-laws, Lawrence and Dorothy Davena.

Life celebrations will be held in Koyuk and Council later this summer.

In honor of Matilda, the family encourages loved ones to gather together, share a meal, tell stories and hold close the people they love – just as she always did.