It is the mid-1920's in a remote Eskimo village in Southwestern Alaska. By the light of an eel-oil lamp, a tiny Eskimo girl sits studying the lessons her missionary teacher has given her, while other children play games or do chores.

Ocalena Chakoakwylnak, the star pupil, must learn English so she can go down to the Auburn Adventist Academy in Washington state for a high-school education.

Flash forward 60 years, to Auburn. That little girl is now a grandma, Ocalena Douglas, telling stories of her childhood - and of God's love - to the children of her children's children. Telling about the difference that education makes in one's life. And baking or crocheting things to sell at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church bazaars.

Although Mrs. Douglas died July 7 at 80, her story goes on, not only in the lives of children here and those now studying by electric light back home, but in the book "Arctic Schoolteacher" by her former teacher Abbie Morgan Madenwald.

It is a story of the difference that not only learning, but love and persistence can make in a life.

"She was only 4 foot 8 inches and weighed 80 pounds," said her daughter, Beatrice Douglas Rhodes of Federal Way. "She was very sweet and always had a big smile. And she was very intellectual, always studying and learning. You went to her house and she would have Channel 9 (KCTS) on."

Mrs. Douglas had returned to Alaska before finishing high school in Auburn. She earned her degree by correspondence.

But at age 31 she left her husband - who treated her poorly, said her daughter - and moved her family to Auburn to immerse herself in modern society and the church.

"She went to church several times a week," said her son-in-law, Douglas Andrews of Federal Way. "She would sew, knit and crochet things to raise money for the church.

"And she was artistically talented. She would paint wonderful Alaska scenes of dog sleds, miners' cabins, wildflowers and the midnight sun. Some of the paintings were displayed at the Federal Way Post Office and in the banks."

Mrs. Douglas was confined to a sanitarium twice for turberculosis, in the 1940's and '50s. She had seven ribs removed and a collapsed lung, but she continued her learning, loving ways.

Her wry humor came through in her response to a query relating to an upcoming movie based on the "Arctic Schoolteacher" book. Asked what her villagers thought of missionaries, she replied, "What difference does it make? The Hollywood producers will do whatever they want, anyway."

So powerful was her influence on the young that a grandniece, Nellie Hilt, came down from Alaska to study at the Adventist Academy. Hilt now teaches in Alaska, but Native culture rather than English..

Mrs. Douglas' survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Buck and Marilyn Douglas of Westport; her son's first wife, Doreen Douglas of Auburn; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandson.

Services were held at the Auburn Adventist Academy Church.

This story written by: Carole Beers of The Seattle Times.