Lillian Marie Saldivar Dies; Former Sitkan was Age 66

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Created on Monday, 25 January 2021 15:40

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Lillian Marie Saldivar

Lillian Marie Saldivar, a former Sitkan, passed away in Juneau on January 14, 2021.

She was born January 31, 1954, to Katherine Maberry and Henry Sam Sr. at Mt. Edgecumbe hospital in Sitka. Her Tlingit name was Aanawdu.oo, of the Sitka L’uknax.ádi (Coho) clan from Kayaashka Hít, the Mother Coho/Platform House, on Katlian Street. Her father’s people are of the Kaagwaantaan Clan from the Box House, also of Sitka.

Some family members gathered for a celebration of her life in Juneau on January 22, which was her mother’s birthday. Due to Covid-19, the family plans on a full celebration of life at a later date in Sitka.

Marie graduated with the Sitka High School Class of 1972. She was employed at the Sitka School District, Sitka Sound Seafoods, Big Blue Charters, and Seafood Producers Coop.

Marie and her first husband, Jim Thomas, married in Sitka in 1976 surrounded by family and friends. They raised their three daughters there, and were actively involved in their school, swimming, and softball activities.

Marie was a devoted mother, and she also rounded up the large family for meals, picnics, birthdays, and holidays.

Marie’s family dinners and cooking lessons will be dearly missed. She proudly shared her dinner and cookie recipes, and she enjoyed classic rock (especially her vinyl collection), playing pool and darts, and reading. She was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers NFL team fan. Her siblings will miss her pinches and advice, and everyone will miss her giggling and laughing while telling stories. Her laughter will never be forgotten – her dimpled smile will always be treasured.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Katherine and Henry; stepfather Herman Maberry; aunt Betty Garrity; husband Henry Saldivar; siblings Gilbert Sam Sr., Richard Sam, Carol Breece, Betty Jo Edenshaw; and niece Manda Johnson.

Marie is survived by her daughters Katie Thomas/Marty Dundas and their children Troy (of Sitka), Drew, Kyler, and Kristina Petrey (of Illinois); Kathy Thomas/Tim Eddy and their children Devin and Jade Kubik, and Bryson Eddy (Sitka); and Mary Thomas/Carl Cadiente and their daughter Addison (Wilsonville, Oregon).

She also is survived by siblings Cathy Lindoff (Hoonah); Lorrie Sommers (Fitchburg, Wisconsin) and her children Shane, Kevin and Stephanie; Troy Cantrell/Cat of Pineville, Louisiana; Tommy Maberry (Columbus, Nebraska) and his children Brandon/Monica, Josie and Justin Maberry; Sharon Kelly (Indianapolis); Stacy Maberry/Kathy; and Faleene Worrell/Bert of Longview, Texas, and their children Sharla Hayes/Richard III and their children Kyra, Richard IV, Aspen, Reilly, Rory, Lily, and Eli; and Eric Sele/Lolita Church and their son Kasen Sele.

Katie, Kathy, Mary, and family expressed appreciation for all prayers, thoughts, and support. The family may be contacted through Kathy Thomas, 2898 Sawmill Creek Road Apt. C, Sitka, AK 99835, or emailed at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Many family members are sadly unable to attend services due to COVID-19.

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