Vinitchai "Vinny" Hollenbeck
"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." --MATTHEW 21:22 New International Version (NIV)
Vinitchai "Vinny" Hollenbeck , 75, passed away in Palmer, Alaska, on January 19, 2019. Vinny was born in 1943 in the Thai province of Srisaket to Malee and Vinus Jummong. She moved to Alaska the first time with her husband, Jim, in 1979. After a stint in Northern California, the happy couple moved back to "The Last Frontier" for good, establishing residences in Anchorage, Haines and Wasilla. As fate would have it, the girl raised in jungle heat was happiest in a cold climate.
Vinny was a skilled gardener, fabulous cook, ferocious Scrabble player and a devout Christian. She took to the challenge of artic gardening with gusto. She could be seen in all types of weather wearing her sun visor and holding pruning shears. Her Thai cooking was legendary and she loved to share her skills with others. Following her faith, she travelled to various parts of the globe such as Brazil and Thailand on missionary work. With Jim always by her side, they founded an orphanage helping Thai children affected by HIV.
Born a tireless worker and full of compassion, Vinny always made time for the many children in her life. Her nickname "Momma Vinny" was well deserved as she showed affection for everyone she met. Her favorite saying was, "Not a problem," which translates in her native tongue to, "Mai pen rai" and "Believe and receive."
She is preceded in death by her husband, James Hollenbeck. Survived by her sons Chuck, Jason, George and James V and daughter, Holly, six siblings, fifteen grandchildren and twenty plus nephews/nieces.
Visitation will take place at the Evergreen Memorial Chapel in downtown Anchorage from 12-1 PM on Friday, February 8th. Services will be held at the Praxis Center located at 22827 Sherman St. in Chugiak starting 2:30 PM the same day.