Fena L. Sagoonick (Dotomain)

Fena ~ Daughter. Sister. Wife. Mother. Aunt. Friend. PRAYER Warrior.
Fena Lena was born to Tom and Annie Dotomain, October 12, 1947, in Mekoryuk, Alaska. Tom and Annie moved their family up north to Shaktoolik, Alaska from Nunivak Island to settle and support Fena’s grandfather, Jacob Kenick, in his ministry work in the Covenant Church.
Fena met Palmer Sagoonick in high school and they were later married December 11, 1967 at the Shaktoolik Covenant Church at the Old Site.
They lived in Shaktoolik and began raising their children starting with Tom in 1968, adding Tim in 1971, and then Mary, only girl in 1974.
They moved to Palmer, Alaska, in the late 1970’s, due to Palmer’s seminary school at the Arctic Bible Institute. Later they moved to Nome, Alaska, for a winter, to intern at the Nome Covenant Church. They then resettled in Shaktoolik, for Palmer to pastor at Shaktoolik Covenant Church.
In 1984, she was blessed to have their last child, Jeremy. Over the years, Fena was blessed to see all her children graduate from Shaktoolik High School and many of her grandchildren as well.
Fena worked as a travel clerk coordinator for Norton Sound Health Corporation for over 20 years and retired in January 2013.
She traveled and trained many others in the area in her position. While working, her husband faithfully brought her breakfast and coffee most mornings. He made sure she made it across the street during the snowstorms. Momma had a lot of coworkers in her time with NSHC. With her job, her work within the church and family, momma got to meet a lot of people with some who she became good friends with over time or praying friends.
Palmer and Fena were an amazing ministry team with her teaching Sunday School, helping with the youth of Shaktoolik and being a big part of the choir. Her love of God was apparent in the community as she helped with all who came to her as she was able. Momma loved to pray for others. She prayed for many people, even those she didn’t know personally. She loved to fish all year round whether in the ocean or up the rivers or in a lake. Her other passions were being outdoors, berry picking, walking the beach, looking for gillies and lumpy wood, searching for the tender greens and all things subsistence. Any reason to be outside and busy, even during the stormy days, brought her joy to praise God and sing of His Glory.
Even with her ongoing dementia she professed and sang of His love and grace for us.
Fena L. Sagoonick peacefully passed away on the morning of May 9, 2025, surrounded by family in Anchorage, Alaska.
Her Celebration of Life Service took place at First Covenant Church of Anchorage on May 17, 2025. 
There will be another Celebration of Life and her burial service in Shaktoolik, Alaska on July 16, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. with a potluck after, place to be determined.
Momma is survived by her husband Palmer Sagoonick, son Thomas (Crystaleigh) Sagoonick, daughter, Mary (Tom) Erickson, son Jeremy Sagoonick, and daughter-in-law, Melanie Sagoonick. As well as grandchildren Kyle (Crystal), Cole, Emmaleigh, Kayleigh, Ray, Claire, Benjamin, Timmy, Summer, Tory, Gustoff, Oskar, Frances, Cora, Jaxon and Kyree.
Momma also has four special “Greats”: Tessa Paige, Quinn Palmer, Giana Fena and Hailey Ella.
She is also survived by her siblings and in-law Kathleen Dotomain, Caleb (Janet) Dotomain, Sarah Vaughn-Dotomain, Isaiah (Andrea) Dotomain, Aaron (Rita) Dotomain, Minnie (Robert) Reska, Rosanna Dotomain, Eleanor (Sam) Oliveri, Beverly (Albert) Dotomain, and many nieces and nephews from one side of this world to the other.
Fena is preceded in death by her folks Tom and Annie Dotomain; her big brother Walter Dotomain; her little sister Rebecca Della; and her son Timothy D. Sagoonick.
The family would like to say Quyanapaq and God’s blessings upon the following: Maletch and Maletch’s Assisted Living Home; caregivers, Eden and Hector and Emily and Renaldo (Emmy and Renny) and Erwin; her roomie, Dorothy Pitts, for her middle of night checks and prayers, family and friends in the Anchorage area that took time to visit with her while in her assisted living home, Shaktoolik Native Corporation, Shaktoolik IRA, City of Shaktoolik, Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation, those who contributed directly and a couple who organized fundraisers.
A special Quyana to Maribel and Judd, the nurses with Ancora. And anyone we may have forgotten to mention for all the prayers for Fena and us or helped in other ways we could not imagine, it didn’t go unnoticed. Quyanapaq! God is Good!