Jolene Firn Withers

May 7, 1986 -

Jul 29, 2022

Jolene Firn Withers passed away in Anchorage, Alaska, on July 29, 2022, at age 36. She fiercely fought against a diagnosis of nonsmoker's lung cancer for the last two years, but ultimately lost the battle in Providence Hospital surrounded by her loved ones. Her family is shattered and heartbroken by the loss of our darling JoJo.

Jolene was born on May 7, 1986, at Humana Hospital in Anchorage, to Charles and Charlotte Withers. Seven months later, her loving father, Charles, died of brain cancer. She was a fearless, intelligent, artistic child who grew up to be a witty, loving and beautiful young woman. She married the love of her life, Greg Serrao, on July 11, 2017. Their joy and love extended to their daughter Leanor, who was born in 2014.

She graduated from Service High School in 2004, and the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in 2006. For the next seven years, she worked as a costumer in movies, music videos and commercials while living in Los Angeles, Calif. In 2016, she moved back with her husband and daughter to Anchorage to be near her mother and brother. In July 2016, she was hired with the State Health & Social Services department in the Medicaid Division, where she worked as an administrative assistant then later promoted to a Program Coordinator I.

Jolene is survived by her devoted husband, Greg Serrao; daughter, Leanor; mother, Charlotte Beckner; and loving brother, Charles Withers Jr. She also leaves behind numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and a niece and nephew. She was predeceased by her father, Charles Withers Sr.; grandparents, Lillian and Ed Richardson and Robert Beckner Sr.; and aunt, Faith Rivera.

Per her wishes, there will be no funeral or memorial service. She will be cremated, and her ashes scattered by her family along her favorite hiking trails. Some of her ashes will also be combined with her father's ashes to be scattered at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to the American Cancer Society.