Gayleen Rene Jacobs (nee Nanney), of Sitka, passed away on March 11, 2025, in Anchorage, with family by her bedside.
Born on August 19, 1956, in Caldwell, Idaho, Gayleen spent her formative years in California with her mother Doris, father Warren, and sister and brother Janice and John. Following her father’s passing in 1973, her mother married Roy Bailey, and the family relocated to Sitka.
Although Sitka continued to be her home, Gayleen had an adventurous spirit and a love for people and the world. This led her to travel extensively, and to find homes in many places with her then-husband, Steve. She lived for six years in the Philippines, one year in Germany, and for 21 years in Ireland – a place where she found friendship, community and family.
Gayleen had seven children, who were the loves of her life.
Gayleen was a mental health advocate, a friend to those who needed one, and was always courageous in standing up for what she believed in. As testament to her spirit and her resilience, Gayleen enrolled in the University of Alaska Southeast at age 61, and worked diligently to achieve her associates degree in 2024.
Gayleen was preceded in death by her mother and father, Doris and Roy Bailey, her father Warren Nanney, and her sister Anita Leonard.
She is survived by her seven children (and in-laws), Tom (Cindy), Heather, Joel, Lena (David), Wendy (Evin), Claire (Abel) and Brendan; her grandsons and granddaughters Roy, Dylan, Isabelle, Rose and her unborn grandson due on April 10; her sister and brother (and in-laws) Janice Walker (Arnold) and John Nanney (Jeannette); her Aunt Gayle Chapin; her nieces and nephews Daniel, Dennis, Aaron, Lisa, Mellissa, Warren, and Bradley; her many grand-nieces and -nephews; friends and companions. She is especially missed by her forever companion and furry friend, Pippin.
All are welcome to attend a celebration of Gayleen’s life at 1:30 p.m. on March 30, 2025, in room 6 of Centennial Hall, followed by a scattering of her ashes at Starrigavin. Her family will then head to The Pub, where all are invited to join, and tell stories of Gayleen and the incredible life she lived.
