Irma Gertrude Davis Button was born May 23, 1942, at Todd Cannery, the beloved eldest of 13 siblings. Her parents were Gertrude Davis Wright and Frank Wright Sr.
She passed away July 1, 2015, in Anchorage, after a short illness. She was 73.
Her Tlingit name is Chalye Tláa. She is L’uknax.ádi and Chookaneidí yatk’i. She is from the Kayaashka Hit, the Mother Platform House. She was also being groomed to be a future Clan Mother.
She was with the love of her life Jim Button for 43 years and this June 22 they celebrated 41 years of marriage. They were married in the Kayaashka Hit clan house.
Irma, proud of her family, the Raven Coho clan, and her heritage, she was a relentless Coho.
Irma spent countless hours preparing for parties and creating gifts for family and friends. Many know that one of her many hobbies included crocheting and she made many gifts to last.
She was deeply involved in all cultural activities and family gatherings. She was often the first one there making preparations for such events, lending a helping hand to all in need, and making sure all activities went well.
She created beautiful regalia and had a talent for beadwork. She made sure that all family and friends collected pop top tabs and donated them to the Elks Club to support donations for Kidney Dialysis patients.
Although she didn’t hold an official title, she was a leader for the Cohos and her family. The Coho people could always count on Irma to travel for cultural activities, practice, and preparation.
She loved to dance. Brothers share stories about her making them dance all night.
She was involved with the Russian Orthodox Church, especially during holidays. Irma “went all out” to prepare a feast for the Church and choir members. She was also a member of the Elks Club and Alaska Native Sisterhood.
She was a shareholder of Sealaska Corp. and Shee Atika Corp.
Thanks to a gift from the Joseph sisters, Irma was able to accomplish a lifelong dream of traveling to Hawaii. She went to Oahu and the Big Island last November with her husband Jim, brother Frank and sister Debbie.
She also traveled for the love of her big family. Her first trip out of state was to Morris, Illinois, where her husband Jim is originally from.
It would be an understatement to say that Irma was a hard worker. She loved to go fishing, and was the first mate on her husband’s boat, beginning in the early 1970s until recently. They fished together for many years on several boats including Carol-L, Yentna, Lady Joyce and, lastly, the Ginny B.
Other places of employment included Hoonah Crab Cannery, Revard’s Restaurant, Corner Cache for many years until retiring at Cascade Convenience Store.
She is survived by her husband James (Jim) Button, children Thomas Bell, John Bell, David Bell, Allen Button (Cori), David Button (Rhonda), Kathy Button Ehret (Don), Connie Button Barnes (T.D.), Christine Button Viner, Francine Button and Paul Button.
Irma was a proud grandmother and was survived by 23 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
Her brothers and sisters are Sharon Wright-Brown of Hoonah, husband Bismark Brown of Accra, Ghana; Frank Wright Jr. and wife Daphne Wright of Hoonah; Jim Howard, Paul Wright of Anchorage; Phyllis Tisher and husband Jeff Tisher of Hoonah; Sam Wright and wife Arely Wright of Hoonah; Debbie Picken and husband Mike Picken of Juneau; and Margaret Wright of Anchorage.
Aunts are Alice Cooper, Louise Benson and Marlene Johnson; uncles are Herman Davis Sr., Sam Martin and George Martin. Numerous cousins, grandchildren, nieces and nephews also survive.
Irma was preceded in death by her grandparents, David Davis Sr. and Annie Davis, and Emma and George Martin; her parents, Gertrude Wright and Frank Wright Sr.; son Harold Davis; siblings Martha Wright, Charlie Wright, Doris Wright and Jacob Wright; nephew Glade Wright and Phillip Schoonover; uncles, Paul Davis, Albert Davis, David Davis Sr., John Hinchman and Phillip Martin; and aunties Margaret Howard, Sarah James and Betty Houston.
A memorial and cultural service will be 6 p.m. Thursday, July 9, at Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi. Afterward she will lie in state at Kayaashka Hit.
The funeral will be 11 a.m. Friday, July 10, at St. Michael’s Cathedral, and she will be laid to rest at Sitka Memorial Park.
Immediately following the graveside service, a reception will be held at the Elks Lodge.
Pallbearers are EJ Williams, Charles Young Sr., Paul Weltzin, Kyle Young, Kl Nielsen, John Howard, Donny Garrity and Chad (Paddy) Hansen.
Honorary pallbearers are John Young III, James John Nielsen Sr., Sam Martin, George Martin, Andy Gamble, Pat Wicken, Mike Picken, Dennis Peterson, Herb Didrickson Sr., Ernie Hillman Sr., Rose Ballinger, Alice Cooper, Jennie Baldwin, Louise Benson, Gladys Skeek and Jennie Lindoff.
