Pamela Ann Riddell

Pamela Ann Riddell, whose initials are P.A.R., was loved by her family and friends. She was part of a larger family of seven people which included her parents, Don and Mary, Pam and her four siblings. Pam felt special having an older brother & sister and a younger brother & sister.

Pam was a Brownie and Girl Scout and enjoyed group activities and camp trips. She was a member of Regina High School’s new ski team that was started and led by her big sister, Cindy, who was the President. Pam joined the ski team because she loved skiing but also so she and her sister could enjoy time together. Pam excelled in every class and was a National Honor Society member at Regina High School.

Pam loved spending summers with her family at her grandparents' cottages on various lakes in Michigan. She learned to sail and gained a lifelong love of the water including swimming, boating, fishing and exploring. She also enjoyed being with her immediate family as well as extended members like her aunts, uncles, cousins and her parents’ friends which included her Dad's Fraternity brothers and their families. Pam had a special relationship with her parents and grandparents. She did everything she could to help all of them at various times. She felt honored to do it for them.

Pam was a naturally curious person and very intelligent. She did well in all of her school subjects and especially science. She went on to earn a Bachelor's of Science and Master's of Science degrees from Wayne State University. She loved explaining science to everyone and she did it in an easy-to-understand way. To help offset college expenses she worked at St. John’s Hospital in Detroit delivering trays to patient rooms.

Pam began her career as a Research Assistant in Oncology at the Veterans Administration in Detroit. There she showed compassion for our veterans undergoing treatment. She was offered a job as the Head of Science at Dominican High School and was proud to share her passion for science with students, particularly young girls. This was very important to her. After many years at Dominican, Pam received another teaching opportunity at Macomb Community College. First as an Adjunct Professor then becoming a Full Professor. She taught a variety of science subjects from Biology to Anatomy & Physiology to Nutrition and more. Pam helped write many of the textbooks used in the science classes. She was also one of the first Professors to embrace online learning and was doing it years before it became common. She said online learning gave her students more flexibility. Many of her students told Pam it was because of her that they too loved science and went on to medical careers and other science-based positions. Pam taught science classes for four decades and she memorized each of her students' names and would call them by their name in class and years later. She had a special bond with her students at Dominican High School, and they considered her family as she did them.

Pam loved to play too, and she was a terrific golfer, sailor and had other talents. She could hit the ball consistently on every stroke. In sailing she instinctively knew when to trim the sail (and more importantly when not to). Her love of water led her to find a home a block from Lake St. Clair. There Pam made delicious meals for family and friends. She was always excited to host parties. Pam sailed out of the marinas on Jefferson and loved swimming in her best friend Anne’s pool. They met in sixth grade and stayed best friends their whole life. Together Pam and Anne travelled all over the U.S. and in Canada, played board and card games and were very loving parents to pets like Scout, Simon and Jaxx. Pam's first dog, Scout, was precious to her. She raised him from a puppy to become a 120-pound Labradoodle. She was a fantastic dog Mom and Scout was very well behaved. People were shocked when he listened to and obeyed Pam's commands. Scout became known as the "Gentle Giant" always by Pam's side. They had a special friendship, and she took him everywhere she went when possible. Scout was one of Pam's greatest joys in life.

Pam also loved being an aunt, Great Aunt and Godmother to Michael and Joey. A role with responsibility she took very seriously. Pam wasn’t just a fun Aunt though, she did experiments for the children, showing them the galaxy on her living room ceiling so they learned the name of the stars and taught all of them to love science too.

Pam was very loyal to her family and friends. She had a keen eye for recognizing people's needs and was always ready and willing to help them in whatever way she could. She had a unique way of making you feel special in every conversation at the same time making you laugh. She was a fun person who loved parties and the camaraderie it brought to everyone. She loved listening to music and attending concerts particular to rock n roll and Motown which got her up singing and dancing the night away. She also enjoyed all the holidays and parades including the 4th of July.

Pam was strong, independent and a rock to everyone she met, especially close family and friends who will miss her love, her caring words and her beautiful smile and her laughter. She was an extremely healthy person throughout her life. She was never ill or on a medicine until she was diagnosed with leukemia in 2013. Her first eleven years were remarkably a somewhat easy journey for her. These last six months, however, were a constant battle. She was brave, a fighter and remained patient and caring with others until the very end. She passed away on July 4th and a few hours later a beautiful rainbow appeared over St. John's hospital in Detroit. A sign, we believe, that Pam found Scout on the other side of the rainbow and are together in heaven with family and friends smiling, laughing and partying it up.

On July 4, 2025, Pamela Ann Riddell, of St. Clair Shores, Michigan passed away peacefully surrounded by family. She was born on August 9, 1954, to parents Donald Jr. and Mary Louise Riddell in Detroit, Michigan. She is the loving sister to Donald (Ann) Riddell III, Cindy (Clem) Kolesar, Jeffrey (Nancy) Riddell, and Lynn (John) Mroz. Cherished aunt to Tracy (Dustin) Nichols, Ryan (Jennifer) Riddell, Kristen (Tim) Chisholm, Michael Mroz God Child, Jessica (Fiancé Dave Gregory) Mroz, Elizabeth (Bridgette Begle) Mroz, Christy Mitchell, and Chad (Whitney) Mitchell. Pamela was blessed to have 16 great nieces and nephews. Pam is the lifelong best friend to Anne Durfee-Landon and a Godmother to Joe Durfee. Pam will be missed by all those who knew her and touched the lives of many.

Family will receive friends on Saturday, July 12, 2025, beginning with a gathering at 9:30 am, until time of service at 11:30 am, at Kaul Funeral Home 28433 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores, Michigan 48081.

Donations to Karmanos Cancer Institute:

1.Online donation link: https://www.karmanos.org/karmanos-foundation/tribute-gifts-karmanos-foundation

2.Donate by Check:

Karmanos Cancer Institute

4100 John R

Mailcode: VE01FS

Detroit, MI 48201

Make Check out to: Karmanos Cancer Institute

Memo Section of Check: Dr. Tarik Hadid Cancer Research at Karmanos

or

3.Donate by Telephone: by Calling: (248) 304-2930.

Interment will take place at Resurrection Cemetery following the service.