Constance Black, known as Connie, was born to Evon Tsekelaralrea and Clara Tsingarkak and given to their daughter Susie Chanigkak and her husband George Chanigkak on about July 19, 1932. Susie and her sister Julia used to say that the day she was born was the first time they saw an airplane fly above. She was 90 years old. She was blessed with a long life surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She passed away on January 4, 2023.
Connie’s faith in the Lord was strong, telling all her family members to love and forgive one another and to have faith in the Lord as He answers all our prayers. She thought of all her family and friends in her prayers each day.
She was a generous woman, and she gave whatever she could to help her family and friends. Her home was open to those who needed a place to stay or food to eat. She loved to bake fresh bread and cook meals in her big soup pot and invite her friends over. Many stories and laughter filled her kitchen every day. She loved inviting people and friends over to eat at her house.
Connie loved her Native foods. She always said that she could never move any further from her home of Kangirnak and Bethel because she would miss her Native foods too much. She taught her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren how to gather and prepare foods from the tundra.
She was so good with her hands. Whether it was sewing, beading, or basket weaving, her creativity was adored by many. Her dance fans hang in many homes in Alaska and downstates. She made parkas for her children, their spouses, and grandchildren.
Connie was preceded in death by her husband Calvin Black, adoptive parents George and Susie Chanigkak and biological parents Evon Tsekelaralria and Clara Tsingarkak; her brothers Joe Evon, Henry Evon, Paul Evon; her sisters Susie Chanigkak (adoptive mother), Julia Azean, Agnes John, Lilly Paul; her sons John Black, Herman Black, Harry Black, and Ronnie Black; her daughter Fannie Black; her granddaughter Susan “Sissa” Black; grandsons Michael “Boo-Boy” and Edward “Awesome” Black; daughter-in-law Diane Black; sons-in-law Norman “Boomer” Bouffioux and Daulton Moss; and granddaughter Patricia Hollandsworth.
She is survived by:
Brothers: Edward George and Wassillie Phillip
Sister: Martha Mann
Sons: Vernon Pavil (adopted to Joe and Martha Pavil), Larry Black (wife Molly), Herman Black (wife Ruth), Aaron Black (wife Diane), and George Black (aipaq Sarah Christiansen).
Daughters: Caroline Bouffioux (aipaq Simeon Tulik), Cynthia Moss, Hannah Gunther (adopted to George and Susie Chanigkak), and Sheila Phillip (adopted after daughter Fannie’s death).
Grandchildren: Christiana and Georgiana Pavil; Maryanna and Max Black; Ronnie “Guy” Black; Justin, Cassandra, and Julia Black; Fannie “Goody” Black; and Danielle, Chato, Shawna, and Sawyer Moss; Vivian Chanigkak and Daysha, Ronald, Calvin, Susanne, and Eddie Gunther; Jonathan, Brandon, and Makenzie Phillip and Emily Kiunya (adopted to Ray and Emma Kiunya); and Jessica and Chris Hollandsworth.
Great-grandchildren: Aleisha, Brooklyn, Missy Phillip, Benjamin and Carlson Lewis, David Joseph (adopted), April and Chloe Igkurak; Desean and Joseph Pavil, Hal, Yolanda, Anastasia, Michael Wassillie; Makayla Rankin; Ronnie Black Jr.; Shane and Bonnie Whitman and Anthony Martini; Sullivan Moss; Landon and Sophia White, Chato Moss Jr. and Aliviah Kawagley; Esther Black-Zetina; Jayden, Khalen, Brielle and Kacen Turner; and Mandy Shields, Grace Charlie.
Cross Bearer: Justin Black
Pall Bearers: Jonathan Phillip, Brandon Phillip, Shane Whitman, Oscar Active Jr., Clayton Active, and George Paul.
Honorary Pall Bearers: Daisy Peter, Tag’ar Agnes Lewis, Mamie Strauss, Theckla Wright, Julia Alexie, Doris Paul, Helen Edge, Mary Anaruk, Katie Albrite, Nass’aq Nellie Evon and daughters, Elizabeth Kusaiak, Xenia Short and her mom, Nellie Husa and her mom, Lillian Lliaban, Jenny Dacy, Esther Green, Susie Chanigkak, Julia Azean, Agnes John, Lilly Paul, Ap’a Joe and Nellie Evon, Julia Hunter, Margaret Active, Jean Ivon, Sarah David, Martha Mann, Tommy and Julia Phillip, Edward George, Wassillie Phillip, Lillian Kiunya, Katie Amik, Laurita Nerby, Esther Mute.
Acknowledgments
The family extends their gratitude to Qemirtalek Corporation, Calista Corporation, Puvurnaq Power Inc., CVRF, Uncle John Phillip, Ronnie “Guy” Black, Phyllis Giles, Helium Edwardson, Eta-Starr Edwardson, Jeffrey Black and Peter Joseph III, Frank Mute Jr., Ronnie David, Brian and Carla Cage, Derek and Jenn Pitka, Maria and Dan Adams, Jacqui and Jason Netherton, Core and Joe Hart, Phyllis John, Coral and Lance Willard, Archie and Marilyn Lokanin, Morgan and Kayla Charbonneau, Martha Olympic, Peggy Frankson, the Bethel Moravian Church Choir, Henry George, Chato Moss and Iman Kawagley, Brother Vernon and Debbie Samson, Harvey Paul and Nellie Attie, Paul Nicholai, Nellie Husa, Jackie Cleveland, Chrissie Christiansen, the Kongiganak singers, the crew that helped prepare the home for her arrival and everyone that cooked and provided for the family’s needs.
Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8
