All my love and prayers go out to you all.  When the people we cherish the most become our memories, there just are no words.....

"Pam was the most unselfish person I have ever known. A good friend, boss, mentor, etc. I will miss her all the days of my life. Rest in peace my dear friend."
Alan Goch (Miramar, FL)

Pam and I shared the same birthday, the same great friend Jennifer m, and some memorable moments. She will be missed.

Many of you are gathered now for Pam's memorial. I am halfway across the country in Wisconsin. But I am there in spirit. We were pals in our early to mid 20s, working together in South Florida. She had a family that grew with her through the years. Everyone she cared about was family. Our group of friends grew up in all parts of the country. We got together to do journalism, to hang out, and to laugh often. When we all couldn't go home for the holidays, we celebrated them together. We talked for hours about things both meaningful and pointless. It was a great conversation, regardless. I lost touch with Pam through the years, though we reconnected on FB. I imagine her looking for clever ways to let you all know she is still with you. if there's a way, Pam will find it.

Pam was so much more than a boss to all of us in the newsroom. She was truly one of those people you come across once in a lifetime. Smart, kind, caring and her fun side was great. Pam will always be in my heart.

A beautiful person gone too soon. Light and love.

Losing Pam is a loss more deep and profound than I could ever describe. She was wonderful editor, mentor, friend and had a major impact on everyone who was fortunate enough to know her. Her love for protecting the planet, animals and her friends and loved ones will always inspire me. Pam played a big role in my life. She was my muse. I am humbled by the gift of having known her for 13 years. Sharing Sicilian heritage, we often spoke about how the number 13 was good luck for Italians. It's true. My luckiest day was when I strolled into Pam's office all those years ago. I will cherish the memories and all the lessons she taught me. God called her home way too soon. My heart is with all of you as we mourn the loss of this wonderful woman.

My deepest sympathies. I remember Pam always smiling at the Forum/Sun Sentinel West Office.

Pam was my former colleague at the Key West Citizen. A true journalist. So sad to hear of her passing. RIP.

I was very shocked to hear about Pam Doto's hospitalization and sudden passing. Since I work out of the Sun-Sentinel's Deerfield office, I'm a little out of the loop when it comes to news like this. This is a very sad time for Forum Publishing.  She will be missed.

Hello Stephanie, I'm sending hugs across the miles.  I too only talked to Pam occasionally but she was always close in thought. The memories I'll hold dear...did you know she taught me how to drive a stick shift in her bright yellow Carmengia? It sounds like she left her mark on the world through her words and actions. Prayers to you and all of her friends she touched....
Laura (Riscili) Cegelski Cheyenne, WY

Pam was my best friend from Reston, VA. I met her in the 4th grade and we were inseparable.  We would have marathon phone conversations that would last 3-4 hours.  We would discuss everything from politics to why purple was such a great color.  We were so young.   I trusted Pam with everything - we were more like sisters than friends.  When we moved from Reston, my heart was broken because I was losing the best friend I had ever had.  I wish we could have seen each other in our 50's, but I know I will see her in heaven.  She will always be special in my heart. Anyone who had the chance to know her, knows how she had a way of magically touching people she cared for.  My heart goes out to her family.  This has to be an extremely difficult time for Stephanie.  God Bless you, Stephanie and your family.

So shocked and saddened to hear of Pam's passing. She was a great colleague - professional, accomplished, collaborative, fun - all the things that made working with her a pleasure. She left us too soon. Peace to her and her family.

Pam was my boss for more than two years at Forum Publishing Group. She was a great leader and mentor, intelligent, fair, funny, and supportive. Through the years whenever I reached out to her, she was always quick to reply. I will miss her and am so sorry for this devastating loss to her family, friends, and coworkers.

Pam was a great editor and overall person. I will always remember her for giving me my first post-college journalism job, and for always pushing me to be a better writer. I'm so sorry to hear of her passing, the world is at a loss. XOXO Kamila (Forum Publishing Group 2003-2007)

Although we lost touch throughout the years, I can truly call Pam my friend.  I was so excited to get back in touch through facebook.  May you rest in peace my friend.

I am still in shock going into the office will never be the same Pam was always so nice and friendly and such a positive person my 6 years at Forum I did have an opportunity to get to know Pam , you will be surely missed by so many rest in peace, my prayers and condolences to her family and all she touched. 
Patti Broder Krakower

I met Pam when my family moved to Reston back in the late 60's.  Her Mom would always remind me of the day when I knocked on their door to see if there were any kids there my age to play with.  Pam and I became fast friends from that day forward. We shared the loss of each of our Dad's at a very young age but made many fond memories over the years.  After my father's passing my family moved to Maryland and, unfortunately, Pam and I lost touch.  I did have the pleasure of speaking to her many, many years ago but our paths did not cross due to the miles between us.  Pam was one of my best friends growing up and I will always cherish that friendship.  I am sorry to hear about her passing and my heartfelt condolences to Stephanie and family.

A bright and compassionate lady.  Worked with her for many years.
Roger Clark (Summer Island, St. Augustine, FL)

Pam you were one of a kind. Fly high my friend.

I am so sorry for your loss. We had recently reconnected after many years. I am so saddened by Pam's passing. I remember the day we met, at her Grandparents house. I called her my Summer Friend, because that's when the family came to visit. We made some very great memories together, along with Stephanie, and my sister Debbie. I was the little red headed neighbor that found a bored girl that day, and there were no more boring days after that! So glad she is one of my fond memories as is the Doto family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Esther

 So sorry to hear of Pams Passing, I was her first Westfield friend,  We enjoyed lots of laughs and fun times, I remember the fun sleepovers  at her Grandmothers house on Water Street , she was a great person and will be 
remembered fondly .

Condolences to her family. We worked together long ago, reconnected when she started at Forum Publications. She was smart, fair -- and kind. Gone too soon.

I met Pam at my job interview,"There are two kinds of journalists who come to work for Forum: Those at the beginning of their careers  and this is their first job -- and those at the end of their careers, and this is their last job." She helped so many to begin their careers, with internships and mentoring and freelancing and kinder gentler,editing. It is a privilege to have worked with her on her last job  my best job.

The gentle giant sleeps in peace. An incredible human being whose caring, compassion and understanding will forever live on in my heart and soul. She was my boss and my mentor, but more importantly she was a fantastic co-worker who was always there for me. You will be dearly missed, my friend! God will watch over you like you always watched over me in the workplace.

My deepest Sympathies, I remember a slumber party with Pam and several girls from Westfield, at her home in Pt. Chautauqua, great memories. You will be missed sweet lady. 

Paula Whitesell

Pam and I worked together years ago in the West office at the Sun Sentinel and reconnected on Facebook. I am sorry to hear of her passing. Rest in peace, Pam

Pam lived with me and my mom briefly years ago. She was one of my dearest friends and I loved her deeply, but we lost touch when she moved to Alaska. For years, I did not know how to reach her. I deeply regret that once we finally reconnected online recently, we did not make time to get together in person. I always thought there would be more time. ...

Pam had immense courage, traipsing off into the unknown to meet career and life goals. Similarly, she encouraged those around her to seek their own achievements. She was and remains an inspiration.

Pam, you'll always be in my heart.

Supremely professional without a pretentious bone in her body. She was dedicated and committed while foregoing expectation simply because it was the right way, for her.  It was a pleasure working for Pam at the Key West Citizen and then staying in touch through the years.  I wish I'd worked for more like her.

At my advanced age I am used to learning of the deaths of old comrades and fellow treaders of the grapes of wrath in editorial vineyards. Usually they are friends and mentors older than I, who taught me much; I am grateful that their lives and mine touched. But today I am stunned and deeply sorrowful at the death of my friend and colleague Pam Doto. She was just 54 -- with a journalism career yet in full bloom. Pam was my friend for more than 20 years. She was my most valued and trusted co-conspirator at The Key West Citizen when I was editor and she was my city editor. I hired her for the job. In my long journalism career, I have rarely worked with a more caring person who really believed that our inky trade stood for something and wasn't just stenography -- as it seems to have become these days. Until her untimely death Saturday, Pam soldiered on as a vice president of Tribune Co. newspapers in South Florida. I saw her last a couple of years ago when I revisited Florida. I had hoped to visit Pam again in a few months for more character assassination conversations about the crooks and creeps, charlatans and champions that we knew in the crazy world of daily journalism. And also for more mutual whining about the wasting of the craft we both loved. So long, Pam. I am supremely saddened. You were loving and talented, hard-working and devoted to your chosen career path. You were a magnificent colleague and aide and -- I learned and observed later -- a fantastic boss. You were one of my favorite people in a life filled with great souls. I will miss you forever. There is, perhaps, some comfort in these words for me and others who loved Pam:


"Grieve not that I die young. Is it not well to pass away ere life hath lost its brightness?" -- Lady Flora Hastings

Pam Doto and I worked closely together at the Key West Citizen in the 1990s. Pam was a consummate journalism professonal and a remarkably warm and caring human being. I loved her deeply and valued her professional and personal counsel. She is gone far, far too soon. But her legacy, like that of all truly great human beings, will long live after her in the hearts and souls of those she touched She touched mine. And I miss her. RIP Pam.

OBITUARY

Pamela Jill Doto

September 13, 1962 – April 16, 2016

Kraeer Funeral Home & Cremation Center

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