Pamela Donovan Fowler

Pamela Donovan Fowler entered this world on September 20, 1926 in Grand Island, Nebraska, the first child of Ida Charlotte (Burke) and Claude Patrick Donovan. Her siblings included Patricia, William, Kathleen and Karen. Pam graduated from St. Joseph Academy, Des Moines IA in 1944; she joined the Cadet Nursing Program (WWII), training at Queen of Angels College of Nursing in Los Angeles, where she graduated in 1947, and then she attended Long Beach City College. She returned to Des Moines in 1949 and married Charles E. Fowler in 1950. Together they created a loving home for 7 children, Robert, Susan, Patricia, Barry, Charles, Patrick and Thomas. Pam and her family moved to Sioux Falls, SD in 1955 and settled in the Overland Park area in 1962. In 1970, Pam returned to the nursing profession, taking recertification courses. She worked at Baptist Hospital from 1970 to 1987 in cardiac intensive care. She volunteered at St. Joseph’s Hospital for 40 years, and was very active in the local quilting community, serving as the President of the Kaw Valley Quilters (1990) and teaching many quilting classes at Salt Box Sampler (1983-2000). Pam designed and created hundreds of quilts, wall hangings, and handicrafts, for family, friends and her 23 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. They are comforted by the many works of art she bequeathed them. Pam attended Curé of Ars Catholic Church for over 50 years and was active in many ministries, including Bereavement, the choir, lector service, volunteering whenever asked, and attending daily Mass. She leaves many cherished friends in the parish and school.

As her children grew older, Pam loved visiting her siblings, nieces and nephews at least annually in southern California, preferably in the winter! She also traveled with one or more of her adult children to England, Sweden, Italy, and Brazil, reveling in the cultures and histories of each country. Pam loved to play bridge, was an avid reader and a member of a long-standing book club, and enjoyed reunion lunches with friends from Baptist Hospital and Saltbox Sampler. Most importantly, she was the matriarch of her family, and her home was the central gathering place for many holidays, birthdays and other events. Children, spouses, and grandchildren dropped by often for conversation, cookies, and watching sports on TV.

Pam and Charles were faithfully married for 54 years, until his passing in 2004. They rejoiced in the marriages of their 7 children and the addition of daughters-in- law (Carol, Suzanne, Susan, Lorraine, Judith) and sons-in law (Jeff, Nicholas) as well as the birth of their grandchildren (Amy, Ruth Catherine, Donovan, Laura, Brian, Kevin, Chris, Darcy, Alex, Mary Colleen, Erin, Bridget, Anna~Therese, Brendan, Briege Clare, Jack, Patrick, Elizabeth, Carson, Daniel, Aric and by marriage, Caroline and Andy, and great grandchildren (Ashton, Elodie, Lily). Pam made quilts for each grandchild to celebrate significant events in their lives. These are wonderful and enduring memories. Pam was preceded in death by her husband, Charles, sister Patricia and brother William. They and the angels welcome her with love to Heaven.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Curé of Ars Catholic Church, 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood, KS, at 11:00 am on Friday, April 16, which will be livestreamed. Livestreaming information can be found at www.mcgilleystatelinechapel.com where you are also invited to share a memory or note of condolence. There will be a Visitation preceding the Mass beginning at 9:00 am, with recitation of the Rosary at 10:30, both held at the church. Private inurnment at Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa, KS, will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Curé of Ars Parish or to Operation Breakthrough, Kansas City, Missouri.