Pamela Jo Musick

Born Oct. 30, 1951, in Connersville, Indiana, Pamela was the daughter of Kenneth Lunsford and Helen Iva Judy.

Pam was a lifelong learner, always working hard to set goals and master them. After graduating from New Philadelphia High School (Ohio) in 1970, she earned a Bachelor of Education from Kent State University in 1973. She earned a Master of Education at the University of Hawaii-Manoa in 1994.

An educator at heart, Pam landed her first teaching job at Frazee Elementary School in Connersville, Indiana. She taught in many classrooms during her 42-year career, from preschools to university lecture halls. She held administrative roles with the Hawaii Department of Education and Fayette County School Corporation in Indiana, and she served as an adjunct professor at the University of Hawaii-Manoa and Indiana University-East. In 2000, she transitioned into the private sector, where she worked for Pearson Education and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. She later returned to public education, serving as the Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education for Fort Wayne Community Schools from 2012 to 2015.

Pam never met a stranger. From her beloved Leilehua cheerleaders, to friends she met through church groups and community organizations, or even the cashier at Culver's (where she "hadn't been in years"), everyone was a fast friend. She was the kind of person who would be first in line at the post office to mail a birthday card, leave encouraging words on an Instagram post, or FaceTime with her grandchildren (and many of their friends) long after everyone should have been in bed. She frequently gifted baked goods, treats, and upside-down pies.

Pam's sewing room was her happy place. She created multitudes of clothing and crafts, including dresses, tops, appliqued sweatshirts, decorative banners, sleepover bags, key chains, bowl cozies, chapstick holders, and more.

She was always up for a good book, a good laugh, or a good story, often recounting long tales to anyone who would listen. She was a diligent planner, and she set a high bar for herself and everyone around her. Occasionally, she'd make the infamous "Pammie face," a straight-mouthed expression that was sort of a warning without words. It could mean anything from "you're wriggling too much in church" to "I'm not sure that joke was appropriate." To her dismay, her family wriggled and joked anyway.

Pamela was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Bell, Fort Wayne, Ind.; son, Patrick (Emily) Gibson, Portland, Ore.; grandchildren, Eleanor Hans, Lauren Hans, Kate Hans, and Maya Hans, Fort Wayne, Ind.; Monica Gibson, and Jake Gibson, Portland, Ore.; sister, Patti (Dave) Chambers-Rimer; step-mother, LaVerne Lunsford; step-brothers, John Judy and Christopher Judy; as well as many beloved aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

Pamela attended First Wayne Street United Methodist Church, where she was a member of the United Methodist Women. She enjoyed volunteering at church and the Fort Wayne Rescue Mission.

Funeral service will be at 11:00 am on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at First Wayne Street United Methodist Church, 300 E. Wayne Street, Fort Wayne (46802), with visitation one hour prior.

Visitation is also from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at D.O. McComb and Sons Covington Knolls Funeral Home, 8325 Covington Road, Fort Wayne (46804).

Memorials may be directed to First Wayne Street United Methodist Church and the Fort Wayne Rescue Mission.