Anna's Leadership
Volcano Club
Community Activist
As Anna raised her children, she actively attended events in the community. One of her best friends was Betsy Day who served as an emergency medical nurse. Another of her best friends was Suzy Reeve (later Heiker) who worked for the post office. And another best friend was Dorothy Jones who researched and wrote on social and cultural issues. Other family friends include Aleut brown bear guide Mike Utecht, Dwight and Sheila Meeks (FAA); Bob, Dorothy, and Chuckie Jones; Fred and Betsy Day; Glenn Davenport (ADF & G), and many other families who worked for FAA, US Weather Bureau, State Fish and Game, US Fish and Wildlife.
Living in Cold Bay in the 1960s were different times with external and internal threats which kept life interesting. The potential of nuclear attacks from Russia reigned strong with Cold Bay's proximity to Kamchatka and Eastern Siberia. Basements in Cold Bay houses were often fortified against nuclear attack and stocked with extra food and water for long term survival against such attacks. Internal threats were sometimes suspected in the 1960s, but not revealed until decades later when it was learned that some of Anna's closest friends were (likely unknown to Anna) more closely allied to the other side, some being Communist and some having served on submarines wearing brown shirts in the Third Reich. If Anna knew of the alliances of her friends, she harvested energy to build up (rather than tear down) the fabric which makes the United States and Cold Bay strong.
Anna attended community meetings at the Volcano Club and other locations and spoke up on issues that concerned her, including emergency medical treatment. Anna did not like it when people got hurt and they had to be medivaced to Anchorage. She wanted to see a clinic built in Cold Bay to help hurt people. She stood up and spoke emotionally at community meetings. At home, she quietly (and furiously) knit hats, socks, and slippers which she sold to collect money for the building of the clinic.
As Anna raised her children, she actively attended events in the community. One of her best friends was Betsy Day who served as an emergency medical nurse. Another of her best friends was Suzy Reeve (later Heiker) who worked for the post office. And another best friend was Dorothy Jones who researched and wrote on social and cultural issues. Other family friends include Aleut brown bear guide Mike Utecht, Dwight and Sheila Meeks (FAA); Bob, Dorothy, and Chuckie Jones; Fred and Betsy Day; Glenn Davenport (ADF & G), and many other families who worked for FAA, US Weather Bureau, State Fish and Game, US Fish and Wildlife.
Living in Cold Bay in the 1960s were different times with external and internal threats which kept life interesting. The potential of nuclear attacks from Russia reigned strong with Cold Bay's proximity to Kamchatka and Eastern Siberia. Basements in Cold Bay houses were often fortified against nuclear attack and stocked with extra food and water for long term survival against such attacks. Internal threats were sometimes suspected in the 1960s, but not revealed until decades later when it was learned that some of Anna's closest friends were (likely unknown to Anna) more closely allied to the other side, some being Communist and some having served on submarines wearing brown shirts in the Third Reich. If Anna knew of the alliances of her friends, she harvested energy to build up (rather than tear down) the fabric which makes the United States and Cold Bay strong.
Anna attended community meetings at the Volcano Club and other locations and spoke up on issues that concerned her, including emergency medical treatment. Anna did not like it when people got hurt and they had to be medivaced to Anchorage. She wanted to see a clinic built in Cold Bay to help hurt people. She stood up and spoke emotionally at community meetings. At home, she quietly (and furiously) knit hats, socks, and slippers which she sold to collect money for the building of the clinic.
Post Master
USPS
Post Master
Anna worked at the post office, becoming the post master. While talking with the people at the Cold Bay Airport Terminal and other gatherings, Anna encouraged people to do what they could to get the clinic started. Anna's work as a post master was also acknowledged in Ora B. Dickerson's "120 Years of Alaska Postmasters" (Carl J. Cammarata, Scotts, Michigan, 1989), having worked as OIC (officer in charge) from July 13, 1979 to October 6, 1979 and then as post master from October 6, 1979 until September 15, 1981 (sic). Dickerson's book reports September 15, 1981, but this is not possible since Anna passed away August 31st.
Anna worked at the post office, becoming the post master. While talking with the people at the Cold Bay Airport Terminal and other gatherings, Anna encouraged people to do what they could to get the clinic started. Anna's work as a post master was also acknowledged in Ora B. Dickerson's "120 Years of Alaska Postmasters" (Carl J. Cammarata, Scotts, Michigan, 1989), having worked as OIC (officer in charge) from July 13, 1979 to October 6, 1979 and then as post master from October 6, 1979 until September 15, 1981 (sic). Dickerson's book reports September 15, 1981, but this is not possible since Anna passed away August 31st.
US Postal Service Award
"Service Award to Annabelle E. Livingston in grateful appreciation for 7 years of dedicated service to the Government of the United States given posthumously by the United States Postal Service"
Anna's Knitted Hat
Anna lived in Cold bay from 1961 to 1980 and worked hard to get a clinic built. Growing up in Alaska and having worked in the Cordova Hospital as a nurse's assistant, Anna knew of the value of having a clinic to serve the people in the area who needed emergency medical care. Anna knit hats, socks, and slippers which she sold to collect seed money to start the clinic.
When Anna passed away in 1981, her friends asked that the clinic be named in her honor. Anna's knitted hats, called "toques", continue to be worn in the 21st century, keeping their owners warm and happy. The picture of the orange hat was knitted by Anna and her husband Bob continues to wear it in 2009. You can see that, even after 38 years of wear, Anna's hat is still holding up strong.
When Anna passed away in 1981, her friends asked that the clinic be named in her honor. Anna's knitted hats, called "toques", continue to be worn in the 21st century, keeping their owners warm and happy. The picture of the orange hat was knitted by Anna and her husband Bob continues to wear it in 2009. You can see that, even after 38 years of wear, Anna's hat is still holding up strong.
August 1981
Scottish Tartan
Anna smoked tobacco for years and was diagnosed with cancer and died on August 31, 1981, surrounded by her family.
Anna's grave is located past Trout Creek near the Livingston homestead. In 2010, her family finally posted a gravestone near the location where she is buried.
After Anna's passing, her friends asked that the clinic be named after her.
Like her records with the US Postal Service, Anna kept right on working.
Anna's Grave Marker
When Anna passed away in 1981, her family was, well, poor, and could not afford a grave marker. Around 2008, Bob had a mason in Colorado carve a grave marker for Anna. He had it shipped from Colorado to Seattle by truck, and then shipped on the Coastal Merchant from Seattle to Cold Bay. G & K Enterprises graciously transported Anna's grave marker to the homestead where, in June 2010, we positioned the stone close to where Anna is buried. Bob had the United States flag and the Turkish flag carved into Anna's stone. In the US Army, Bob and Anna (with daughter Carol) were stationed in Istanbul. But, when asked why the Turkish flag instead of the Alaska flag, Bob's tacit reply was, "That will remain a family mystery."
Anna's Friend Anfesia Shapsnikoff
http://vilda.alaska.edu/
You can be inspired by Anna's leadership.
In your community, do what you can to make things better.
Learn new skills, learn how to knit, how to do crafts.
Like Anna, learn how to give and how to help others.
One of Anna's friends was Anfeshia Shapsnikoff (shown in a photograph to the right with Senator Bob Bartlett) from Unalaska who said, “Whenever there is a suggestion for what could be done to make our community better, if you know any, don’t be afraid to say it” (Hudson, 1992, Unugulux Tunusangin: Oldtime Stories, p. 216).
In your community, do what you can to make things better.
Learn new skills, learn how to knit, how to do crafts.
Like Anna, learn how to give and how to help others.
One of Anna's friends was Anfeshia Shapsnikoff (shown in a photograph to the right with Senator Bob Bartlett) from Unalaska who said, “Whenever there is a suggestion for what could be done to make our community better, if you know any, don’t be afraid to say it” (Hudson, 1992, Unugulux Tunusangin: Oldtime Stories, p. 216).
Eastern Aleutian Tribes
Work with Eastern Aleutian Tribes to promote healthy communities.
Take a First Aid Class
Learn how to help people you don't know, people who are hurting and need medical attention.
Take a first aid course or a CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) course.
Contact your local Red Cross or Red Cross Alaska.
Take a first aid course or a CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) course.
Contact your local Red Cross or Red Cross Alaska.
Contact Southern Region Emergency Medical Services
Contact Southern Region Emergency Medical Services to see what training you can get.