My dear sister, Pam, passed away on July 29, 2020 following her long battle with Lymphoma cancer. She was doing surprisingly well up until a couple of days ago. I want to thank everyone who offered supportive thoughts and prayers when she reached out to ask for support from friends for prayer.
Pam was blessed to be able to enjoy a fulfilling career doing what she loved, playing the flute and teaching. She began playing the flute with the Beverly Vista Elementary School Orchestra. She graduated Beverly Hills High in 1964; and shortly after graduating from California Lutheran University in ‘68, she won an audition for flutist with the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra. She also was a flutist for the Burbank Symphony Orchestra, the Santa Monica Symphony Orchestra and the Los Angeles Doctors Symphony Orchestra. Pam moved to Veracruz, Mexico to play flute for the Xalapa Symphony Orchestra and the Veracruz Symphony Orchestra.
Finally, she took a position with the Houston Ballet Orchestra in 1986 and played for 16 seasons prior to retirement. She met Barry in April of 1991 and they wed in October. They belonged to the Bayou Cities Chapter & the Central Texas Chapter SDC for 3 decades. They collaborated on the sale of Studebaker parts and met many wonderful people as she helped with the swap meet selling at many meets and playing her flute with the Studebaker Band. Throughout her career and after retiring, she taught flute to students and was so happy to see one of her students, Elise Shope Henry, become the second flutist for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, a position she holds to this day. Pam continued to play at church, never missing a Sunday morning or Sunday evening service, and also played at special events.
Pam had a sweet temperament and was known for her kindness and loving heart, but was also honest, righteous, a devout Christian, and was strong and determined to do what was right. She was a loving, loyal and devoted friend, teacher, mentor, sister, aunt and wife. Pam is survived by her sisters Jennifer Carter, Cindy Paulos and Charmaine Frost, nieces & nephews, her loving husband, Barry, and his family.