Pamela Jean Badolato

On January 16th, Heaven gained a creative, loving, energetic and tenacious Renaissance woman…my mom. The indomitable Pamela “Penny” Badolato is finally in comfort after her most recent challenge battling colon cancer. I cannot think of a more fit 74 years young lady that took care of herself. Be it swimming a mile in the morning, taking on a 5k with friends on the weekend and walking religiously, her health and love for the friends and family in her life made this most recent battle with cancer a gritty affair, like only mom would embark upon.

My mom was one of the most creative people I know. A teacher, a steel foundry worker, carpenter, painter, triathlon athlete in her 70’s, builder, philanthropist, volunteer, artist, world traveler, devoted Catholic, friend, wife of over 50 years, mom and grandma…and yes, big fan of IPA’s!

Hailing from Detroit, you start to understand where mom got her grit. Car accidents, brain, back and shoulder surgeries, kicking breast cancer to the curb for over 30 years, and then tackling colon cancer, you would never know by being with mom how much pain she endured over the years. She hid it well (or thinks she did) to keep us all hopeful, moving forward and working on things we can control. If you ever doubt the power of faith and positive mindset…DON’T. She has taught me 2 lifetimes of learning and leaves a legacy of hope to her family and friends.

There are books I could write about mom, including some pretty interesting new stories that have surfaced over the past couple of weeks (for another day…need to check on the statutes of limitations in Michigan…ha, ha, ha). Today, however, I will endeavor to put those learnings to action and pay tribute to the woman that gave me so many opportunities. Love you mom and happy you are finally comfortable, pain free and with friends and family above.

Thank you ALL for your love, thoughts and prayers over the last few weeks and months. It has meant so much to all of us. We will be holding mass in mom’s honor followed by a Celebration of Life ceremony at Dignity Memorial 7134 Powell Road in Wildwood, FL on Saturday, January 31st at 2:00 PM. Mom would want people to celebrate the good things we each take with us and carry forward from our times with her. There may be an IPA or two consumed in tribute. 🙂

In lieu of flowers, mom, dad and I would appreciate donations to Cornerstone Hospice (https://cornerstonehospice.org/) or to breast or colon cancer research. I cannot thank the doctors, nurses and aides at Cornerstone enough. The compassion, care and dignity given to my mom was well beyond that of people “doing their jobs”. She passed truly loved and pain free as I held her hand at the end of this life’s journey.

Love you mom. Thanks for all you gave to this world. God Bless You.