Alma Gordon of Avon, Conn. died on Sept. 29 after a valiant fight with multiple systems atrophy. She was 66.

She was a leader of the Chappaquiddick Wampanoag tribe and was known as White Sky.

She was born in Salisbury, Md. to Mabel Healis Gordon and Robert L. Gordon and grew up in North Providence, R.I. She graduated from Rhode Island College.

Her long career in insurance product development brought her to many new locations including Boston, Buffalo, N.Y., Illinois, Texas and Connecticut.

She had Native American roots on the Vineyard, an interest in sociology and embraced her heritage. As the sonksq of the Chappaquiddick Wampanoag tribe, her leadership was impactful and lent credence and viability to the tribe’s mission of cultural advancement, reparations, and recognition of Chappaquiddick people in the native community and on Martha’s Vineyard.

Alma is survived by her daughter Kara Smith of Brooklyn, N.Y., her brother Robert Gordon Jr. of Pasadena, Calif., and her many loving cousins and friends.

Visiting hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 7, at The Robbins Funeral Home in North Providence, R.I. A private memorial will be conducted on Oct. 8 at 8:30 a.m., followed by interment at North Burial Ground in Providence, R.I.

Memorial contributions may be made to The MSA Coalition at multiplesystematrophy.org.