Former Sitkan Harvey B. Marvin passed away peacefully on May 12 in Juneau, three months after his beloved wife Lillian Marvin, who passed away peacefully on Feb. 3, 2014.
Graveside services for Harvey were held this afternoon at Sitka National Cemetery.
Lillian (Fawcett) Marvin, Skaanda.áat, was born on Aug. 31, 1938, in Hoonah, to Dorothy (Dalton) and Charles P. Fawcett. She was T’ákhdeintaan of the Yéil Kúdi Hít (Raven’s Nest House) and a child of the Wooshkeetaan clan.
Lillian worked for the State of Alaska Department of Revenue for many years. She was very kind, loving and eager to share stories and a laugh. She enjoyed crocheting, beading, sewing and making gifts and regalia for her numerous grandchildren.
Lillian happily participated in the Salvation Army Auxiliary Club and Our Aunties House (a beading and sewing class). She was an ardent fan of Gold Medal basketball tournament and proudly attended all of her grandchildren’s events and performances.
Lillian was generous and often showed her love for her family by baking, sewing or creating gifts.
Harvey B. Marvin, Xháa Kaayí, was born Aug. 21, 1933, in Excursion Inlet to Lillian Pratt Marvin Smith, and John Marvin, of Hoonah. He was Kaagwaantaan of the Khóok Hít (Box House) and a child of the T’ákhdeintaan clan. He was one of 18 children and was raised among his uncles and brothers as a purse seine fisherman.
Harvey went to Mt. Edgecumbe High School, and furthered his education in Chicago, Ill., graduating with a business degree.
He later served in the U.S. Marine Corps, during the Korean War.
Lillian and Harvey were married on Jan. 10, 1955, and had celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary this year.
They spent many of their early years together in Sitka before moving to Juneau in 1973. Together they raised their children, Johanna, Charles, Dorothy, Leroy and Janice.
After Lillian’s mother’s death, they also raised her brother, Peter Marvin, as their own.
While living in Sitka, Harvey worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) at Sitka Mt. Edgecumbe High School.
He was elected to the Sitka Charter Commission, which drafted the Unification Charter for the City and Borough of Sitka. He also served on the Sitka Assembly.
Harvey accepted a position to work with Sen. Jay Kerttula, chairman of the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee, and the Marvins decided to relocate to Juneau.
Harvey became the first Native Auditor for the State of Alaska.
An astute politician, Harvey was one of five members of the Tlingit & Haida Central Council Executive Committee to lobby Congress in 1971, when the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) was passed.
He was appointed corporation treasurer, and shortly after Huna-Totem was created under the name Hoonah Village Corporation.
In recognition of his accomplishments, Tlingit & Haida Central Council named Harvey Marvin Citizen of the Year in 2005. He was also elected Delegate Host of the Year in 2008 and was recently honored by Gov. Sean Parnell at the Juneau Veterans Day Ceremony, directly succeeding the 2013 Clan Conference in Juneau.
Harvey and Lillian Marvin were very instrumental Tlingit elders who set a great example of how to be good human beings. They never hesitated to pass on their knowledge to anyone who asked, and were very involved in their cultural ways of living.
Harvey and Lillian were both members of the Alaska Native Brotherhood and the Alaska Native Sisterhood in both Sitka and Juneau Camps, and both were active members of the Democratic Party, supporting many campaigns for offices.
Harvey and Lillian Marvin were preceded in death by children Johanna Dandoy and Dorothy Rhodes.
They are survived by children Peter Silas Marvin and Leroy Marvin of Juneau, Janice Garner of Las Vegas and Charlie Marvin of Oregon; their siblings Richard and Vera Marvin and Danny and Mary Ann Flake; 10 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; and numerous extended family members of brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and grandchildren.
Janice (Marvin) Garner can be reached at (907) 209-4726.