Pamela Wantanen Becker, 73, of Williamsburg, Virginia passed away on November 28, 2022. She is preceded in death by her brother, Robert Wantanen; sister, Patricia Wantanen; father, Eino Wantanen; and mother, Esther V. Wantanen.
Pamela was born April 4, 1949 in Decatur, Illinois. A 1967 graduate of Bryan Station High School in Lexington, Kentucky. She later earned her Bachelor’s Degree in 1972 for Psychology at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. After college, she built a career spanning over 33 years in federal civil service including work as a civilian for the U.S. Army. At her retirement, she held the role of claims examiner for the Fort Eustis Staff Judge Advocate in Newport News, Virginia.
She was an avid reader of various magazines, including National Geographic. Pamela also enjoyed running, and in her earlier years participated in several area races. As an amateur yard landscaper, she enjoyed botany and gardening, with a fondness for growing roses of Sharon, irises, lilacs, hibiscuses, and crepe myrtles. With her love of animals, she raised four small breed dogs—three Shih Tzus and a terrier. Pamela was self-taught in the Jewish faith, keeping a unique collection of Judaic literature in her library.
Pamela is survived by her ex-husband, Steven J. Becker of Virginia Beach; son, David E. Becker; significant other, David A. Potzner; and her female Shih Tzu, Cassidy and male Cairn Terrier named Pippy.
A graveside service will be conducted by Rabbi Mendy Haber, at 1:00pm on Thursday, December 1, 2022 at Williamsburg Memorial Park, 130 King William Dr, Williamsburg, VA 23188.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions in Pamela’s honor to the Hadassah Women’s Organization (https://www.hadassah.org/), Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association (https://pva.org/), or The Humane Society of the United States (https://www.humanesociety.org/).
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