Verona Gentry

Jul 18, 2026

Verona Hyacinth Primrose Gentry, beloved nurse midwife and one-of-a-kind Alaskan, died peacefully in God's love at her Anchorage, Alaska, home on July 18, 2026, at the age of 91.

Born in Jamaica, West Indies, and raised in London, England, Verona lived a remarkable life that spanned continents and blessed thousands of lives. After receiving her nursing and midwifery training in England, she immigrated first to Canada and eventually made Anchorage her home for more than 50 years.

As a certified nurse midwife, Verona delivered more than 3,000 babies in Anchorage, the Lower 48, London, Germany, and Canada. She was widely recognized for her excellence in midwifery and was honored by the Alaska State Legislature in 2021 for her significant service to Alaska's birthing mothers. Generations of Alaska families affectionately knew the babies she delivered as "Verona Babies."

Verona was impossible to miss. She wore bright colors, fabulous shoes, flowers in her hair and maintained her proper English accent throughout her many decades in Alaska. She loved tea parties, travel, gardening and mentoring young midwives. An active member of First Congregational Church of Anchorage and Queen Mother of the Red Hat Society, she filled her Anchorage home with flowers, clocks, photographs and enough stories and memories to occupy several lifetimes.

Fiercely independent, deeply faithful, famously stubborn and extravagantly herself, Verona never apologized for taking up space in the world. She loved music, delighted in running into her Verona Babies around town, and brought color and joy wherever she went.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William F. Gentry; her beloved James Delaney; and numerous family members. She is survived by her daughter, Andrea (Derek) Buschman; son, William F. (Laura) Gentry II; grandchildren, Maia Buschman and Ravi (Isabella) Buschman; great-grandson, Solomon Buschman; and niece, Fatima Deen.

A visitation will be held Wednesday, July 22, 2026, from 10-11 a.m., at First Congregational Church of Anchorage, followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. and a tea party reception.

For Verona's complete obituary and life story, please visit the Janssen Funeral Homes website.