Presbyterians are planning a community memorial service for Haines artist Miriam Cameron on Nov. 10 at 1:30 p.m. in the church. Cameron died Sept. 15 in Spokane, where she'd been living with her daughter since her husband, former Presbyterian minister Bob Cameron, died in 2009.

Bob Cameron became the Haines Presbyterian minister in 1970 and retired here 24 years later. Miriam had her own career as an artist and was active rearing their son Kerry and daughter Lori.

Church members say she was also a big part of the church family.

"Miriam was a real partner in Bob's ministry," Bonnie Sharnbroich said. "She loved people. Bubbly is how I'd describe her. She found joy in little things, and I think that's what made her faith so vibrant. She just lived it and was never preachy."

For a few years, Cameron co-owned an art shop in town with Carol Clifton, who remembered her as a "great, great friend" and skilled painter.

"I truly loved her mountains; she was one of my favorite artists," Clifton said. "She used her pallet knife so well, and no one in the valley has ever painted in that style like her."

Cameron's paintings and pottery were made on commissions, for galleries, and as gifts for friends, and are in the Sheldon Museum collection. In later years, Cameron learned to weave. "There wasn't anything you could put in front of Miriam that she couldn't do," when it came to arts or crafts, Clifton said.

Much of Cameron's inspiration came from the view from her Lutak home. Cameron named the bears that wandered past her house, fed the blue jays, and enjoyed watching the seals and eagles.

"Miriam was just the sweetest neighbor anybody could have," Ramona Holmes said. "Everybody loved her, even the dogs. We were all always welcome in their home."

Holmes recalled the time she helped Cameron paint backdrops for the vacation Bible school program outside on large sheets. They took a lunch break and returned to see a bear had gotten into Cameron's paints and made a few swipes and prints right next to Miriam's easel.

"She was thrilled that he had gotten a paw into the paint and did a little painting," Holmes said. "She loved the story of the bear who helped her paint."

Miriam Sevuokuk Troutman was born Oct. 13, 1924, in the Bureau of Indian Affairs school house in Gambell, on St. Lawrence Island, to teachers Sam and Hazel Troutman. Her father delivered her.

She grew up in Gambell and Savoonga and told friends here of reindeer round-ups, riding in skin boats, caring for the family dog team, whale harvests and community celebrations on the remote island.

In 1937 her parents moved to Haines and taught for four years before moving to Sitka, where she finished high school in 1941. After graduating from Whitworth College with a degree in art education, she taught in Bremerton, Wash.

She met Bob Cameron, whose family was from Sitka, on a flight back south after both had been in Alaska for the holidays. They were married in 1961. His ministry took them to churches in Kentucky and New Mexico, where she also taught art, and began her family.

Sharon Mallonee said Haines was her aunt's home, so she will be bringing Cameron's ashes to Haines for the service, where they will remain. "For so long Aunt Miriam was part of the community and she loved it so much. I am happy the church and friends are saying goodbye this way," she said. 

Terry Sharnbroich said there will be one thing missing from the celebration of Miriam Cameron's life. "I teased her enough about saving me a piece of her banana cream pie at potluck dinners that she would cut one slice and put a flag on it with my name each dinner. Boy, do I ever miss her," he said.

Survivors include son Kerry Cameron and his family, and daughter Lori Sims and her family.