Pamela A Milchrist

Pamela Ayres Milchrist passed away March 8, 2026. Born and raised on Chicago’s South Side, she spent 30 years teaching in the Kinesiology and Health Science Department at California State University, Sacramento, including nine years as department chair. A graduate of the University of Illinois (BS, PhD) and the University of Michigan (MA), she served in the Peace Corps in Thailand from 1966–1968, an experience that shaped her lifelong commitment to improving the lives of others. She traveled widely and celebrated reaching her seventh continent with a 2019 trip to Antarctica with her nephew Dave Ghilarducci. Pam was deeply devoted to family and spent five years caring for her mother at home during her struggle with Alzheimer’s. She is survived by her nephews and nieces including Dave and Diane Ghilarducci, Alex Ghilarducci, and Ariel Ghilarducci; her goddaughters Katie Flores and Katie Bates; her extended family; and many close friends.

A memorial Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Church, with burial in Chicago.

Donations may be made to the Pam and Betty Milchrist Scholarship Fund in the Kinesiology Department at the University of Illinois, Urbana.