A memorial service was held at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 13, at Evergreen Memorial Chapel in Anchorage. Afterward, her family and friends gathered at the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel shared memories and celebrate her life.

Ms. Niemiec was born Sept. 24, 1961, in Fairbanks where she attended elementary and middle school. She moved to Oregon with her family, where she completed high school and entered college at Oregon State University in Corvallis. She returned to Fairbanks in 1982 and began employment with the Alaska Department of Public Safety. She moved to the Kenai Peninsula in 1997 and Anchorage in 2002, where she was employed with the Department of Law until her death.

"Marie enjoyed camping and fishing, especially with her friend Bob. She loved crafts and spending time with her nieces and nephews. She was also very fond of her cat, Sabine. Marie was known for her kind and gentle manner. She was very devoted to her family and had a heart for Christ. She was loved by all who came in contact with her," her family said.

Friends may send condolences and memories to remembermimi@yahoo.com.

She is survived by her father and mother, Ted and Christine Niemiec of Fairbanks; brothers, Andrew Niemiec and his wife, Sharon Walsh, of Anchorage and John Niemiec and his wife, Kristen, of California; sisters, Cathy Hillenbrand and her husband, Mark, of Oregon and Renee Bear and her husband, Steve, of Soldotna; nieces and nephews Molly Niemiec, Brian and Danielle Hillenbrand and Megan, Chase, Amanda, Allison and Nathan Bear; grandmother, Lottie Brendal of Chicago; aunts, uncle and cousins; and companion, Bob Vierck of Soldotna.