Pamela Marie Willingham

She was born in Chicago, IL, on February 3, 1944, to Pauline and Clifford Weaver. Pamela is survived by her daughters Joanne (Robert) Haley and Katherine (Kevin) Nielsen. She is also survived by her grandchildren Timothy, Christopher, Julianna, Kara and great-grandchildren Gwendolyn and Emberly. She is predeceased by her husband Frederic and son Lee.

She is also survived by five siblings John, James, Nanette, Ann and Paul. Her siblings Sherman and Dean predeceased her. She has many loving nieces and nephews.

Pamela lived in Wisconsin and Minnesota in her early youth. She moved to Haines City, Florida with her family in 1959. Pamela was married in 1963 to Frederic M. Willingham, Jr. in Haines City, FL. She was a homemaker and constant volunteer at her children’s school. She also helped Frederic build his businesses and was the holder of several commercial business certifications and licenses.

Pamela began her college studies at Florida State University. She paused her education when she married to raise her children. She completed her degree in Elementary Education at Florida Southern College in 1988, graduating Summa Cume Laude. She began her teaching career in a Kindergarten classroom and found that to be her niche. She retired from Polk County Public Schools in 2010. She went on to volunteer regularly in the classroom for many years. She was loved by her colleagues and students, as well as their families. She maintained close relationships with them throughout the rest of her life.

Pamela was creative and talented in many ways. She was an excellent seamstress. She learned to sew at the age of eight years old. She could remember details about different dresses that she made in her youth and made countless outfits for her children. In addition to clothing, she sewed curtains, tablecloths, crafts and costumes.

She decorated her home for every season, with the Christmas holidays her favorite. She always decorated multiple trees and loved to make cookies with her family. Her annual Christmas Cookie Decorating Party was an annual event beloved by her nieces and nephews. She also brought the joy of decorating gingerbread houses to her school family. She loved to read and always had a book by her bedside.

A private memorial service for the immediate family is planned. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your favorite charity in her honor. In memory of her legacy, spend some time with a child sharing a story or activity.