Pamela Akinyi Nyaoro Onyango

Services for Pamela Akinyi Nyaoro Onyango will be 2:00 p.m. Friday at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Temple with the Rev. David Waweru officiating. Burial will follow at a later date at her family cemetery in Usenge, Kenya. Pamela died Thursday, November 25, 2010 in a Temple hospital.

Pamela was born February 19, 1960 in Kisumu, Nyanza, Kenya to Simeon Nyaoro and Marsela Oyuga. She received an Associate of Purchasing Management while in Nairobi. She married Onyango Okello February 27, 1982 in Nairobi, Kenya. Pamela had lived in Temple since 2000 and was a member of Saint Francis Episcopal Church. She received an Associate Degree in Business Administration from Central Texas College and was an active member of SIFE of CTC.

Mrs. Onyango is preceded in death by her parents and one brother.

Survivors include her husband of 28 years Onyango Okello of Temple; two sons, David Onyango and Brian Onyango both of Temple; one daughter, Marcela Onyango of Washington, D.C.; three brothers, Charles Nyaoro, Richard Nyaoro and John Nyaoro; and two sisters Margaret Otino and Jessica Okeyo.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Francis Episcopal Church, 5001 Hickory Rd, Temple, TX 76502. The family invites friends to join them for a sandwich buffet during visitation, Thursday 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home of Temple.

The family of Pamela Onyango would like to express their deepest appreciation and gratitude to all her women friends who surrounded her with their love and support throughout her life timWhen someone is identified as a natural leader, certain images come to mind. First thoughts are of a no-nonsense, tough-minded, dedicated and disciplined person. This description accurately fits Pamela Akinyi Onyango who was indeed a born manager. She will be remembered as being highly organized, practical and realistic. She was a person who always carried a strong sense of duty with her throughout her life. Possessed with traditional “old school” morals, Pamela was an individual who clearly communicated to those around her just who she was and what she was all about. Everyone acquainted with Pamela knew her as a well-respected woman who was a stable force in her community.

Pamela was born on February 19, 1960 at Maseno Hospital in Kisumu, Kenya. Her parents were Marsela Oyuga and Simeon Nyaoro. Pamela was raised in Katokim, Kano. Even as a youngster, Pamela learned to be objective and decisive. Her faith in the principles of authority and dependability was something that she carried with her throughout her life.

As a young girl, Pamela was able to put her natural abilities to work. She was a bit like the sergeant of the family, helping to make sure that the others did what they should do and that they avoided those things they weren’t supposed to. In other words, she liked to organize and direct. Pamela was raised with 5 siblings. She had older brothers Charles, Richard, George, John, older sisters, Margaret Otina and Jessica Okeyo. Pamela had an inborn appreciation for the order in the family, allowing for the oldest members to be the most respected and to take on the most responsibility. For Pamela, this was a natural order of life, one she gladly embraced.

Pamela's matter-of-fact attitude about most things was developed during her childhood. As a young girl, Pamela enjoyed being part of teams, and organizations and groups of other kids who shared similar interests. Pamela took part in netball.

In school, Pamela was as close to being a model student as one could possibly imagine. She sought to achieve perfect attendance in all of her classes. She would eagerly complete her homework, and often put in extra study time when she felt it was necessary. A logical and focused thinker, Pamela was always good at following directions and meeting her schedules, whether they were set by her teachers or were self-imposed. Pamela’s personal motto could well have been, “Do it right the first time.” She graduated from St. Lucy's Raruowa High School in 1980. She enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. Her favorite class in high school was Chemistry. The teacher she enjoyed learning from the most was Father DeKok.

Pamela’s practical work ethic carried over into her college years. Her logical mind permitted her to work hard without succumbing to the usual distractions of college life. She would tackle an assignment and work through it before moving onto the next project. Pamela’s orderly nature gave way to establishing personal study habits and procedures that not only helped her stay on track but often put her ahead of schedule. When Pamela saw the need or benefit, she would willingly take on the extra assignment or even attend extra classes in order to learn more and become a better student. She earned her Purchasing Managing Degree, Business Administration Associates and Pursued a nursing degree. SIFE Students in Free Enterprise.

Pamela was sociable and approachable. Because she was always so straightforward in how she approached relationships, friends and family knew that what they saw was always what they got. She enjoyed the camaraderie of being with a group of friends. When Pamela was a member of a group, her interaction worked to keep the others grounded. She was not’t afraid to confront her friends and, when necessary, she challenged them to stick to the task at hand. Those close to Pamela came to expect her high standards of performance. Later in life, she became friends with Genevieve Owuor, Rose Obat, Trudy Johnson, Kayla Sherrard, Shali Tole, Andrine Mwaura, Tabitha Waigwa, Shelia Steward, Misty Glover, Chantal Bonkale and Susan Molonket.

An objective and conscientious individual, Pamela reveled in the security of her family. On February 27, 1982 Pamela exchanged wedding vows with Onyango Osire Okello at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church of Nairobi, Kenya. One of Pamela’s most endearing qualities was her uncanny ability to remember important dates and anniversaries, and her unending enthusiasm for organizing a celebration for her family and friends.

Pamela was ever watchful of her children. She worried about them and was deeply concerned for their development as they grew up. She maintained a firm hand in their upbringing. Pamela would give her stamp of approval to their requests, as long as she could see how they might benefit. She also had the ability to enforce the rules as needed to ensure that her children were properly raised. Pamela was blessed with three children, two sons David Omondi, Brian Likedi and one daughter Marcela Achieng.

Being a hard worker who praised efficiency, Pamela was always striving to make improvements where they were necessary. She was able to analyze situations and problems, keeping everything and everyone on track. An excellent project supervisor, Pamela was a person who could quickly make decisions based on the information available. She worked cooperatively and expected the same from her colleagues. In both her personal and professional environments, Pamela upheld her standards. Her primary occupation was Student. She was employed for Ministry Agriculture for I9 years, Nairobi Kenya, Wal-Mart 3 years, Blackland Research Center 4 years. Pamela was a team player who certainly lived out the motto of “give me a job, and I will get it done.”

Pamela approached her leisure time in the same manner that she approached her life. A person who enjoyed being neat and orderly and one who understood the nature of things, she appreciated the hours she was able to devote to her various hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were singing and walking. Pamela was content to enjoy her favorite pastimes alone but was also willing to share her interests with others.

Playing by the rules was a natural thing for Pamela to do in life and that carried over to her enjoyment of sports. In high school, Pamela played netball. She also was something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching her favorite events whenever she got the opportunity. Tops on her list were she loved San Antonio Spurs and Tim Duncan.

Being generous with her time and energy, Pamela liked to belong to a variety of groups and organizations. She was a vocal leader who enjoyed being a part of things. Her desire to uphold traditions and her ability to take charge of any type of project made her a tremendous asset. In college, Pamela joined the SIFE Students in Free Enterprise. Throughout her later years, Pamela was an active member of the Nyangera Women's Association.

Faith was important to Pamela. She held high moral standards and was worried about the moral decay she saw around her. For that reason she held deep spiritual beliefs that she was willing to share. She was a member Holy Trinity Church 17 years, St Francis Episcopal Church for 10 years.

Pamela passed away on November 25, 2010 at Scott and White Hospital in Temple, Texas of Brain Tumor. She is survived by her husband Onyango Osire Okello, Children David, Brian, Marcela, her Brothers Charles, Richard, John, Sisters Margaret and Jessica. Services were held at St Francis Church. Pamela was laid to rest in Nyangero Daho, Usenge, Yimbo, Bondo, Kenya.

All who knew her would agree that Pamela was a pillar of the community. She lived her life with her feet firmly on the ground. She had a strong work ethic, was pragmatic in her thoughts and acts, and constantly sought the means for self-improvement. She was willing to share her ideas and knowledge for the benefit of others, so that they could accomplish more in their lives. Pamela Akinyi Onyango did her best to ensure that her family, friends, loved ones, co-workers, and everyone whose life she touched was given the chance to become a better person.

The family of Pamela Onyango would like to express their deepest appreciation and gratitude to all her women friends who surrounded her with their love and support throughout her life time.