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Lifelong Hoonah resident Janelle Marcie Byers died Dec. 20, 2008, in Hoonah. She was 15.

Born Oct. 8, 1993, in Anchorage to Jerry and Janice Byers, she was Raven/Takdeintaan-Shawoo of the Yeil Kuda hit. Her Tlingit name was T'sa.ti saak. She was a Junior Alaska Native Sisterhood member of Camp 12.

She was a sophomore at Hoonah Schools. With her attendance she stayed active in music, basketball, volleyball, Gaawtakaan Dance group the and Big Brothers Big Sisters. She will be remembered for her feisty, outgoing personality.

Her family said she was always smiling and looking out for her family and friends, cheering them up with her special way of being fun in a loving manner. Some of her favorite pastimes included working with her dad, baking with her mom and spending quality time with her brother, Jeremiah, trying to figure out life. She enjoyed fun times with her family and friends.

She is survived by her great-grandmother, Mamie Williams, of Hoonah; grandparents, Mike and Genevieve Knudson, of Hoonah; parents, Jerry and Janice Byers; brothers, Jeremiah Byers, of Hoonah, and Brian Byers, of Idaho; sister, Jessica Conklin, of Washington; niece, Alesa Abbott, of Juneau; a cousin, Floyd Peterson, of Hoonah; and many uncles, aunts and cousins.

A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Alaska Native Brotherhood Hall in Hoonah. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at the ANB Hall in Hoonah.

Pallbearers are Keith Skaflestad, Ken Worrell, Brandin Hill, Jodi Barros, Jeff Skaflestad and Jeremiah Byers. Honorary pallbearers are Michael Knudson Sr., Ralph Knudson Sr., Mary Rudolph, John Hillman, Jennie Lindoff, Johnny Hinchman Sr. and George Martin.

For information, contact Charlene White at 209-8997 or Michael Knudson Jr., in Hoonah, at 907-945-3177.