Suzanne Sigvaun Mendenhall Sharp

Suzanne was born May 17, 1961 in Kotzebue Alaska to Ida Pulyaaq Mendenhall. She grew up in the Kotzebue and Nome areas before graduating from Kotzebue High School. She loved spending time with her 5 siblings and her many friends while growing up there. She had a great love and respect for her Iñupiaq Culture and is remembered by all as being a happy, bubbly child and woman, always smiling and happy to see friends and family.

After high school she attended and graduated from University of Alaska Fairbanks with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Alaska Native Studies. She went on to attend University of Alaska Anchorage where she earned her degree of Master of Public Administration. After her education she worked as a Researcher at the Institute of Social and Economica Research (ISER) at UAA before retiring in 2020.

Suzanne married Timothy R Sharp of Anchorage on August 10, 1991. Together they raised 2 wonderful daughters, Janelle Marie Anausuk Sharp and Rachel Elizabeth Pulyaaq Sharp who both live in Anchorage. Sue loved teaching her children about their Iñupiaq culture, other Alaska Native cultures and Alaskan history, and sharing traditional Iñupiaq Native foods with them. Sue was a very devoted Christian, Daughter, Wife, Sister, Mother and Grandmother.

Suzanne loved all of her family very much, especially her two children and 4 grandchildren, and all children in her life. She loved to teach Sunday School to the children at the Anchorage Friends Church. She loved flying fishing and camping with her husband and daughters in the early years of their marriage. Boating and fishing on Alaska’s rivers and oceans as well as riding ATV’s, berry picking and spending time outdoors with her family and friends was one of her favorite past times, along with gardening and growing flowers in the summer.

Sue is survived by her husband Timothy R. Sharp, Daughters Rachel Sharp, Janelle Sharp and her husband Clark Maitland, 4 grandchildren, Riley, Elias, Jude and Isaac, her sister Monica Ruth Mendenhal, Brother Rick Jones and wife Norma all of Anchorage and Sister in Law Ruth Esther Smith of Kenai, and many uncles, Aunties, Cousins, and Nieces and Nephews.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Ida Pulyaaq Curtis, Step Father Isaac Tikitchuuraq Curtis, Brothers Randy, Ralph, Reed and Thomas.

No funeral will be held per her request. There will be a Celebration of life at a later date.