Pamela Elaine Neufeld Kutcher

1965-2013

With deep sadness, we announce the death of Pamela Kutcher, beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin and friend, on July 20, 2013, as the result of a cerebral hemorrhage caused by a ruptured brain aneurism.

She will be profoundly missed by her loving husband of 26 years, Paul; daughters Jessica Forsman (Cody) and Casey Kutcher (special friend Riley Marsh); parents Jay and Kay Neufeld; brother Daniel Neufeld (Kari), their children Mary-Kay, Sarah, Joshua and Karalina; sister Joy (Neufeld) Reimer, her sons Daniel and Jacob; sister Heidi (Neufeld) Willems, her children KatiAnn Von Bank (Michael, their daughter Zoey), Jay (Paula, their daugher Olivia), Anthony and Amy; brother James Neufeld (Katia); mother-in-law Jennie Kutcher; sister-in-law Doreen Hubble (Gary), her son Jack Mapstone (Sue, their daughters Brooke and Letesia); sister-in-law Thelma Hitchen (Bob), their sons David (Pam Vialoux) and Kevin; Audrey Blommaert (Ray), her children Chris Hallick (Tara Jones, his children Amanda, Kassie and Michael), Joel Hallick (Noreen), Jennifer Hallick (Charles Murray, their son Ulysses); sister-in-law Anita Krushel (Garry), their daughter Lindsay Livingstone (Ian); brother-in-law John Kutcher (special friend Rev. Debbie McMillan). She was recently pre-deceased by her father-in-law Peter Kutcher.

Pamela was born in St. Catharines, ON where she spent the first eight years of her life. The daughter of a Mennonite Brethren minister, she moved with her family to places where her parents had been called to Pastor, first to Garden City, KS where she spent her Jr. High years, from there to Dinuba, CA where she attended High School, and then to Winnipeg, where she attended the University of Winnipeg and MBBC, obtaining a B.A. with a double major in English and Religious Studies. These early life experiences informed Pamela's passion for service, excellence and leadership, and left her with a certain restlessness. She was always on the go, always looking for opportunities to serve, to learn and to grow.

Pamela and Paul were married in 1987 after he climbed a ladder to her second story bedroom window to propose to her with a guitar serenade. Together they raised two remarkable daughters, who have both caught her passion, drive, strength, beauty, faith, musicianship and sense of humour. She loved her family fiercely. Pamela and Paul celebrated their 26th anniversary two days prior to her death.

Pamela loved to sing and play piano. She produced and directed several children's musicals, and led worship in various church settings, concerts and coffee houses. Her most favourite thing was singing with her family, and all four would sing and play together on many occasions in choirs, worship teams and their own family band.

Pamela's love of learning carried on to her achieving a Master of Marriage and Family Therapy degree from U of W, and a clinical membership in the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. She spent six years as a therapist with Shepell FGI (an employee assistance provider) before moving to WRHA where she worked as a shared-care counsellor in several clinics in Winnipeg. Her passion and deeply caring nature served her well as she enjoyed good relationships with the doctors, clients, co-workers and staff with whom she worked. As a self-described change-agent, she was always certain of one thing: given the tools, people can always become better if they so desire. To that end she shared her experiences, her faith, her learning and her encouragement in appropriate proportions, both at work and in every personal relationship she held. She was all about relationships, and treated her friendships and family as being of upmost importance.

Pamela worked diligently but she also played enthusiastically. She was competitive and loved to play games and cards and do puzzles. She studied Shotokan karate for eight years and achieved her brown belt. She loved to dance Zumba with Jessica and to try to beat Casey at Sudoku. She was a voracious reader and loved a good novel or mystery. She enjoyed going on long hikes, whether at home or on vacation, sometimes alone but more often with friends; there was always something new to discover, some new challenge to conquer. A highlight for her was her 25th anniversary trip that took her, her husband and their backpacks through eight European countries in 3-1/2 weeks. She was extremely pleased with how her yard and gardens were finally turning out.

Pam's undaunted faith in the love of Jesus shone through in all she did. She was constantly on the lookout for how God would reveal himself through nature, friendships, experiences and circumstances. She was seldom disappointed in life, because she knew that "all things work to the good for those that trust Him". Her sudden passing is painful to us who are left behind, but we gain comfort knowing that she is already dancing in the arms of the Saviour she knew and loved so well.

We miss you terribly already, Sweetheart. We are all better for having known you. You squeezed so much life into your short time on this earth, we could barely keep up with you! Rest well. We will see you soon. And we will dance.

The family wishes to thank the caregiving staff and medical professionals at HSC Winnipeg for the tremendous dignity with which they treated Pamela in her last days, also to our friends and co-workers who have visited, provided meals and lifted us up in prayer through this difficult time. To the people at Celebrate Recovery, thank you for accepting us into your hearts and allowing us to serve.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, July 26, 2013 at Riverwood Church Community 257 Riverton Avenue, Winnipeg. If so desired, donations may be made in Pamela's memory to the Church.