Pamela May Upton

Pam was born October 15, 1953 in Minneapolis, MN the third child of Ron and Darleen Howe. Knowing Pam, she probably gave the delivery room staff instructions upon her arrival. Pam’s family moved many times throughout her life. The first move was to Burbank, CA where Pam met Don Stairs at the YMCA in Thousand Oaks. Pam and Don’s families became good friends during this time and ended up living next door to each other. In 1967, the family moved again, this time to Mountlake Terrace, WA. She attended Woodway High School and met her current husband Daryl, although they didn’t marry until nearly 40 years later. Shortly after graduating in 1971, Pam’s family moved to British Columbia, Canada. During this time, Pam traveled to Thousand Oaks on a vacation and stopped to see Don’s parents and she and Don were reunited. They visited back and forth and eventually they both relocated to the Seattle area. Don and Pam were married in March of 1976. They were blessed with 3 children, Stephanie was born in September of 1980, followed by Stacey in May of 1982 and Isaac in June of 1986.

The family stayed in the Bothell area where Pam was very involved in her church. In addition to home-schooling her own children and other children in the church, Pam was instrumental in the Japanese Student Program, assisted with the pre-school program and multiple other programs and events over the years. Pam was also very involved in Millenium Ministries which provides assistance for homeless women and children. Her servant heart blessed the lives of so many.

Pam was diagnosed with kidney disease in 1996 and started on dialysis in 1997. In that same year Pam lost her father to his own battle with kidney disease, and many other health issues. In March of 1999, Pam received a call from her friend Lori, about her son Brandon Layton who was tragically killed in a motocross accident. Lori graciously blessed Pam by giving her the gift of Brandon’s kidney. This allowed Pam to enjoy 16 more years with her family and friends, and the opportunity to know and spoil her grandchildren.

When Pam’s Mom was diagnosed with Alzheimers in early 2000, Pam, in true Pam fashion, immediately took charge ensuring her mom received the best possible care. Pam’s mom passed away in 2007 and shortly thereafter, her sister Janie was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. Once again, SuperPam took charge, coordinating Janie’s care and moved her back to the Seattle area to be closer to family. SuperPam was also “SuperGram” to her seven grandchildren; Zoe, Lexi, Morgan, Carter, Callie and she adopted Janie’s grandbabies as her own, Maddi and Isis. Pam was very involved in their lives and so very proud of them.

But, Pam did have another side. Not only did she try to save the world, she saved and organized everything in it. When Pam’s son Isaac tried to help her organize her closet, he pulled down a huge box with every purse she had ever owned in her life. Some had been in and out of style at least three times. Pam even hung on to her men. She met Don Stairs at the YMCA in Thousand Oaks, CA during her childhood, they lost touch when she moved to Mount Lake Terrace where she met her now-husband, Daryl in high school. It was on a trip to Palm Springs that Pam reconnected with Don in her early 20’s which lead to their marriage in 1977. After Pam and Don separated, Pam and Daryl reconnected through Facebook, and nearly 40 years after they first met were married in June of 2012.Yes, she kept everything.

We will all miss Pam’s warm smile and her caring nature. Pam would not want us to be sad, she is now in heaven with her Lord and Savior, whom she served so well on this earth. The world is a better place because she was here, and each of us were blessed to have had her touch our lives. In closing, when you are experiencing difficult times, remember one of Pam’s favorite quotes: “In life, you can choose to walk by faith or walk by fear.” Pam always chose faith!