REMEMBERING NEVA EGAN -- (Senate - February 17, 2011) Address by Senator Lisa Murkowski. Sen. Lisa Murkowski Mr. President, today I honor the passing of the initial first lady of Alaska, Neva Egan. Desdia Neva McKittrick Egan was born in Wilson, KS, on October 3, 1914. The articulate, effervescent Alaskan served on hospital boards, school boards, worked diligently on community commitments, and continued to attend morning meetings of the Commonwealth Club in Anchorage for years. Although she was quick to downplay her role in Alaskan history, she had a key position as first lady. Neva also accompanied her husband to Washington, DC, for 19 months during the period when Alaska was being considered for statehood. In DC it was a time of adjustment, traffic, “hot weather” and big-city living for the girl from small-town Kansas. After her husband, William A. Egan, was elected as Alaska's first Governor, she took great pride in supporting him, as well as all the Alaskan legislators and their families. She was known to invite legislator's children to the Governor's Mansion while living in Juneau during session. Although, Neva rarely spoke publicly about politics, she was the firm shoulder on which many legislators leaned. She was a strong woman that worked hard to care for others behind the scenes when it mattered most. Neva was the third in a family of four girls and one boy. She graduated from high school in the midst of the Great Depression in 1932 and then worked for a year in her father's grocery store. After a year, she decided to continue her education and attended Kansas State College, but soon transferred to be closer to her sister and aunt at the University of Wyoming. Quickly, she was recruited to teach in Glenrock, WY, for the “fabulous” salary of $1,000 a year, while her friends were making $25 a month. Her musical background and teaching career led her to Valdez, where she expected to only stay a year and was told the town was “a little rough.” Shortly after she arrived, one of the few local guys with a car, a quiet man, who read the Congressional Record for fun in junior high school, expressed interest in Neva. Apparently, the first date was disastrous, but friends recall “love at first sight.” William and Neva Egan were married on November 16, 1940, in Valdez. It was the same month that William was elected to the Alaska Territorial House of Representatives from the Third Judicial Division that started his drive into Alaskan political history. As a Representative, an advocate pushing for statehood in DC, a Governor, and as a family man, there was never any question as to whom William could look to for support. Neva was the rock that held up her family. While overseeing issues, her son, Dennis Egan who was born in 1947, once asked if since Neva is the first lady is he “the first kid?” Well, that “first kid” grew up to be a Juneau radio personality, the former mayor of Juneau, and now a State senator. Neva was known to start the legislative session with buffet receptions for all the Senators and Representatives and their spouses. She was consistently the rock that others leaned upon; ironing shirts, making beds, and taking the initiative to perform any needed repairs on the Governor's Mansion. Neva Egan worked hard every day and that resulted in a lifetime of contributions to Alaska. Neva is survived by her son Dennis and daughter-in-law Linda; her granddaughters and their husbands, Jill Egan and Sandy Vergano and Leslie Egan and Tyler Malstrom; and brother Richard McKittrick. Neva was preceded in death by her husband William Egan, daughter Elin Carol Egan, and sisters Helen Spiegelberg, Margaret McKittrick and Josephine Trowbridge. I extend my sympathies to the Egan family and feel blessed to come from the same state where she made such a difference. May she rest in peace.

http://capitolwords.org/date/2011/02/17/S864-4_remembering-neva-egan/