Juliana Mary “Emuguak” Farley
Juliana Mary “Emuguak” Farley, passed away peacefully on October 21, 2023, at the age of 81 in Anchorage, Alaska following a short battle with colon cancer.
She was born on May 8, 1942, in Ukivok, Ugiuvak (King) Island, Alaska to her late parents Agnes and Leo Kunnuk, Sr.
Julie lived on King Island until the age of 14 when she moved to Nome with her family. As a young woman, Julie met the love of her life, Howard, at the Merc. Julie and Howard were married for 56 blissful years. Together, they raised ten wonderful children.
Julie was a woman of incredible talent with commitment to community and her presence lit up every room she entered.
Julie’s cooking was legendary, bringing in visitors from around the world stopping by for her famed chowder. She also spent years fishing and hunting for the food that she put on the table. She commercial fished for crab and salmon on her namesake boats until the age of 75.
Several decades of Julie’s life were wrapped around the Iditarod Sled Dog Race, which she founded with Howard and Joe Redington, Sr. She orchestrated the banquet and the Nome headquarters for ten years. Julie and Howard also kept hundreds of sled dogs at their camp and organized several local sled dog races, including their finale race, the Nome-Candle Sled Dog Race.
Julie was a true matriarch who spent significant time at Farley’s Camp, her slice of heaven east of Fort Davis. She raised her children there, teaching them vital subsistence skills. In her later years, Julie loved walking the beach with her grandchildren. She was affectionately known as “Grandma Farley” by dozens of children-and their children-who adored her.
Professionally, Julie held down many interesting careers. She worked at the US Merc and the Northern Commercial company with Howard in the meat department. They ran a tour company showing visitors their beautiful sled dogs and unique way of life. Julie was an owner in Farley Marine, where she worked with her husband and sons to provide commercial marine transportation options in Nome.
Dearest to her heart was the time she spent caring for the children of her friends who become like family.
She was an avid and competitive darts player at the Arctic Native Brotherhood, and when she cleaned out her trophy collection a few years ago, they took up an entire truckload. She loved playing bingo and was nearly undefeated at Scrabble. She loved cheering for the Seattle Seahawks, the Dallas Mavericks, and Gonzaga Bulldogs at any opportunity.
She spent years involved with the social sorority, Beta Sigma Phi, and shared the title of Nome Rotary Club’s citizen of the year in 2008.
Julie was a lifelong active member and reader at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, where she found solace and strength.
Julie was a beloved wife to Howard and a devoted mother to her children: Beth, Kenny (Lisa), Jeff, Linda (Brian), Tina, Jessie (Michael), Mimi, Chugie (Jessica), Melissa, and her mama's boy, Harvey.
She cherished her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Kyle, Paulette (Russell), Melanie (Cody), Christopher, Bubba, Jaxon, Axle, Lani, Jeff Jr. (Sarah), Julian, Samantha, Olivia, Kadi (Billy), Michael, Audrey (Charlie), Lily, Calvin, Chucky, Marie (Luciano), Sapphire, Calista, Gideon, Amy, Nicole, James, Shaune, Lorraine (Gray), Auki, Ari, Kevin, Benjamin, Kallie (Tomas), Mary Lou, Elizabeth, Katie (Jesse), Penelope, and Toby, with two more on the way.
Julie's surviving siblings are Joe (Mary), Babe (Ralph), Theresa, and Willy (Karen).
Julie is preceded in death by her parents, Leo Sr. and Agnes, her siblings Leo Jr., Vince, Marie, Peter, Paul, Tim, Dominic, and Charlie, and her treasured grandchildren, Michael Jr., Jessica and Tim.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, a cause close to Julie’s heart.
Julie will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all those whose lives she touched. Her memory will forever remain in our hearts.
The Farley family would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Alaska Native Medical Center who took incredible care of Julie during her final days.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 4 at 2 p.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, followed by a gathering at Old St. Joe’s at Anvil City Square in Nome.
Here’s to another good day.