Mayor Floyd Remembers Late Senator Poland

Jay Barrett/KMXT

A former Kodiak senator has passed away. Kay Poland died in Anchorage last week at the age of 90. Governor Sean Parnell has ordered state flags be lowered in her honor.

Poland was appointed to the State Senate on March 6, 1970, to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of her husband Bill due to health reasons. She continued to serve in the Senate until 1979, representing the Kodiak-Aleutian District.

Kodiak Mayor Carolyn Floyd was director of the fledgling Kodiak College when Poland was in office.

— (Poland 1 17 sec "She was so helpful to us … her friends and family.")

In 1978, Poland, a Democrat, ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor. She served as director of Commercial Fisheries Division from 1981 until 1983. Floyd said Poland always wanted to contribute:

— (Poland 2 20 sec "It wasn’t exactly a woman’s … she kept going.")

Poland is survived by her husband, George Silides; son, Pat Poland; daughters, Kathleen Carlsen and Shannon Anderson; five stepchildren; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

State flags will be raised to full-staff Friday morning.