Joanne Beierly

Skagway has lost a true Alaskan woman. Joanne Beierly passed away in Marysville, WA on January 12, 2026. Joanne was born October 21, 1944 in Seattle, WA, where she spent her early years before moving up to Alaska. She graduated from Skagway High School in 1962 and married Andrew “Andy” Beierly September 28th, 1962.
It is difficult to find a single title that encompasses all that Joanne was in life. Joanne was a homemaker and gardener, a life long learner and adventurer, a citizen scientist and historian. A diligent reader, Joanne was the first librarian when the new Skagway library opened. Joanne also devoted herself to the documentation and guardianship of the local bird population. She co-founded the Skagway Bird Club, where she participated in bird counts, responded to injured bird reports, and sent specimens to scientists. Her interviews about Skagway history, climate change, and animal observations are documented with the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Joanne spoke her mind and was fiercely independent. She could often be found in her garden, collecting rocks on the beach, and reading in her kitchen. Joanne loved the Skagway community and its natural beauty; she enjoyed looking up at the mountains and biking around town.
Joanne leaves behind her memory with her family – her husband of 63 years Andrew “Andy” Beierly, sons Michael (Amy) and Donald (Karolyn), grandchildren Megan (Eli) and Andrew, great grandson Logan, and brothers Ken (Nancy) and Gary Nelson.