Pamela Alice Cole

Pamela Alice Wande Cole was born August 19, 1930, to Ferdinand Otto Alfred and Nora Murray Wande on the family farm, Hammonia, in the Orange Free State, South Africa. She grew up on farms with her sister, Noreen and brother, Otto, where they were educated by their mother until it was necessary for them to attend boarding schools. The subject of ‘attending boarding school’ later became a topic to entertain (or frighten) her children and grandchildren.

Pamela obtained a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. While at the university she became a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and she served a mission in Cape Town, South Africa before immigrating to Salt Lake City in 1954.

On May 4, 1956, Pamela and Donald M Cole were married in the Logan Temple. Pamela and Donald met in South Africa where they were both serving missions and reconnected in Salt Lake City after Pamela immigrated. Five children (Wendy, Stephanie, Lesley, Allison, and Scott) joined the family. Faith, Family, Education and Service (sprinkled with Fun) were core values taught and lived in their busy home.

Pamela enjoyed working as an accountant but chose to stay home with their children for 20 years, before returning to work. She worked at the Murray Medical Clinic for 35 years before retiring at age 85. Numbers and accounting were a continual part of Pamela’s life, and she followed the Dow Jones Index until her last days.

The Church presented many opportunities for Pamela to serve, including as Relief Society President in two wards and as Young Women’s president, but her chief love was learning and teaching about the restored Gospel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was a favorite teacher in her ward. One of her favorite activities was attending BYU education week each year for many years. Pamela also researched and performed temple work for many of her ancestors and looked forward to meeting them in the next life.

Pamela and Donald were blessed as many grandchildren joined the Cole family and those grandchildren were blessed with grandparents who loved them unreservedly and fully. Each grandchild being the favorite! Several of those grandchildren were waiting for Pamela on the other side of the veil. She had a firm testimony of the Plan of Salvation and looked forward to being greeted by those grandchildren, a great-grandchild, her parents, brother, and especially her husband Donald in a sweet reunion. Most of all, Pamela looked forward to being greeted by the Savior Jesus Christ.

Those who wish to visit with the family may do so Monday evening July 1 from 6:00-8:00pm or Tuesday morning before the funeral from 9:00 to 9:30am, at the Ridgedale Ward building located at 3400 S. 1100 E. in Millcreek.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday July 2, 2024, at 10:00am at the Ridgedale Ward building.

The Cole family would like to thank Rosie with Visiting Angels as well as Melissa and Sara with Dignity Hospice for their care and service to Pam and the family during the past months.