Mildred Livesay (Crocker, Demeris)
Sep 12, 1926 -
Aug 20, 2025
Like the Alaska fireweed blooms of summer, our beloved sister, mother, grandmother, aunt and longtime pioneer Millie Livesay ended her time on this earth, passing peacefully on to her next adventure, at nearly 99 years of age! Born in Norwood, Colo., Millie grew up in the Colorado mountains, moved on to sunny California and, at age 19, headed for Alaska. An avid reader, stories of Alaska brought her here in the mid-1940s, where, in Anchorage, she found other young, active folks eager to experience a new beginning. She married Miles Crocker in 1947. They purchased and renovated a log cabin in Spenard. They cleared land and built a cabin in Chickaloon. They had four children: Mike, Carol, Curt and Jim ... life was busy! Miles's tragic death in 1954 left her a 29 year old widow with the youngest child just 9 month old. Millie remarried in 1955 to Bill Demeris, three more children followed - Linda, Willy and Denice - and life got even busier! Mom was ever the matriarch of the family, in addition to "chief cook and bottle washer" she was very active in community development after she and Bill built a new home off O'Malley in 1959, lobbying for services, volunteering at each elementary school as they opened closer to home, advocating for special needs children and helping to form ARCA, now The ARC of Anchorage. Trinity Presbyterian Church was her home away from home and she remained an active and devoted member until her death. Alaska has remained the home of her heart for over 80 years! Millie was predeceased by her parents, James R. Livesay and Aleen Baxley; six brothers, Ivan, Eve, Lee, Sonny, Waldo (Fritz) and Homer. She is survived by her remaining sibling, sister, Mary Venanzi of California; her children and spouses, Miles/Mike (Susan) Crocker, Carol (Kevin) Hunt, Curt (Ann) and Jim (Sharon) Crocker and Linda (Jim) von Bose, William (Lorena) Demeris and Denice Demeris. She is also survived by 16 much-loved grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren! And of course, her constant companion and bed buddy, Cali the cat. Millie will be fondly remembered for her perseverance, her independence, her compassion and commitment to family and community. Get some rest mom - you have truly earned it.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, at 2:30 p.m., at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 12310 Lorraine Street in Anchorage. She requested to be cremated and her ashes spread on the family homestead in Chickaloon. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Alaska Special Olympics, The ARC of Anchorage or Trinity Presbyterian Church.
