I love my Aunt Pam.  I say "love" instead of "loved" because her kindness, empathy, and loving ways will live on in everyone she touched.  Not just her memory, but her energy will live on in me because I learned many important lessons from her.  For example, I learned the importance of listening. 

She once told me that "...people love to talk.  Just let them talk and nod once in a while and they will think you are so smart because you listened to them!"  I've used this technique throughout my adult life and you know what?  She was right.  She was a great listener.

Remember when she'd say "Hello sports fans!"

She gave amazing hugs.

I was lucky to spend time with her just before the dementia became serious.  She was so beautiful and health conscious.  Always ready to try something new to be better. She was an optimist.  :)  We'll miss her vitality and love.

Hugs and loves to everyone.  

I had the pleasure to meet Pam and she left a lasting impression. She was so sweet, kind, accepting, and radiated joy and love. I am definitely thankful to have met her. 

To the family, I give my most sincere condolences, and am sending you lots of love. ♥️

My Auntie Pam was a light in my life for as long as I can remember. When I was little a big box of red delicious BC apples arrived one Christmas at our home in London. That was the first time I realized I had an Auntie Pam. 

Pam was one of the kindest and most accepting  people- who loved you as you were. She brought fun and laughter and genuine caring and interest in your life  whenever she was around- and ‘showing up’ for the important times was her secondary superpower. 

Marquitta, Chris, Carolyne  and Mellissa, I am so sorry she is gone. I know that while her passing was peaceful, her departure from all of our lives was slow. While I am filled with happiness when I imagine the reunion with your dad, Jackie,  my mom, and grandma and grandpa Elton, I also know the hole she has left can never be filled. What a lovely, gracious and loving mom you all had.  

Chris Lehto

Mom I already miss you so much. Although it hurts, I know in my heart you have been released and have finally found peace. Dad and Jackie, your mom dad and sister are all with you. Thank you for the gift of my life and for all you have taught me. No more jobs mom. I love you forever.

My mother taught me some of the most important things to me that have stayed with me through 54 years.

These things have ended up being life-long gifts.

The first was how important it is to be kind to other people. Mom had a legendary superpower- everyone she met she immediately disarmed through her kindness and genuine compassion. She left an everlasting impression on people and was the true example of what it means to love and give unconditionally. I only hope I can be 1/10th as good at this as you were.

The second is what it actually means to love another person. I never doubted for a second how much my mom loves me. I gave her plenty of reasons to be mad, to give her pause for the latest stupid thing I had done, and to have those “give me strength” moments. But through all that I have never doubted her love for me.

As a teen findng my way- I remember a conversation I had with my mom when I was 16- and had somehow let it slip that I was in love with a girl (sorry Karen, but like Rafiki says in the Lion King “it doesn’t matter it’s in the past!”)- and mom got mad. I was very confused until she grabbed my shoulders and looked me straight in the eye and said “Don’t you dare throw that word around so casually. She continued and said love is so much more than the word coming out of your mouth. 99% of it is in your actions, how you treat other people, how you sacrifice and relentlessly place others needs above your own, with unwavering kindness, compassion and without condition. When you’ve done that, you can say that word. And don’t you DARE tell another girl you love her until you mean it! That conversation- that revelation came back to me in a bolt of lightning when I first laid eyes on the grand love of my life- my wife Karen. That’s when it actually made sense. My mom helped me understand the overwhelming importance of the gift we have been given that is giving and receiving love.

Mom’s giving nature helped my little family grow. Whenever we needed, like struggling and had genuine need- mom was there to help, with dad in tow. And when we didn’t have a genuine need- she’d still shower all of our families with whatever she had to give. Even if it was re-gifting, I’m sure my sisters and our families have all shared the same “gift” on several different occasions!

Most of all, Thank you mom. For the amazing and so ultra rare gift of life, for how you made us laugh, for how you made us understand it actually IS important to clean behind your ears, for your generosity and for sharing your wisdom and kindness.

You did such a good job. I will never forget you and will forever proudly share with whomever will listen the gift of your kindness on this world.

I love you mom, and thank-you for teaching me what that means.

Be at peace.