Pamela D. Gilbert

Pam was born November 7, 1964, daughter of the late Carl H. and Mary C. Blackman.

She is survived by her Husband of 26 years, Ronald Gilbert; her son, David Blackman and Katie Dyson; a very special Aunt, Esta Polanco; her Brother, Ira Blackman; her Sister Wendi and Bill VanOrden; and her fur babies Angel and Dobby. Also surviving are Aunts, Uncles and many nieces and nephews to whom she was a GREAT Aunt.

After her graduation from Norwich High School in 1982, Pam served as a Medic in the US Army for 3 years being honorably discharged in 1987. She held many jobs, including as a long haul truck driver, before finding her true calling, to become a Nurse, and that was just the beginning. Over the course of 14 years she received an Associate and Bachelor (cum laude) of Science in Nursing, a Master of Science in Nursing Education, a Doctorate of Nursing Practice in Nursing Education and finally received her certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Her passion was in Nursing Education, she loved Teaching nursing students with a caring but firm conviction. She stayed in touch with many of her students, sharing their stories and accomplishments, and was proud of them all. She cared about her community, rural health care and treating patients with drug, alcohol, and opioid addictions. She travelled to Rome, Italy, as part of her Doctorate program. For a few years, in February, she travelled with students from Hartwick to Jamaica to understand the cultural diversity and medical treatments for people without access to modern medicine like we have in the US., teaching and working with nurses in Jamaica, where she made many friends.

Pam was humbled by the number of people whose lives she touched as those people poured out prayers and concerns for her during her illness. She will be dearly missed.

Friends may call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral home on Wednesday, September 1, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. A service will follow at 7 p.m. with the Rev. Mary Rublee, pastor of the Broad Street United Methodist Church, officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America using Gateway For Cancer Research www.gatewaycr.org.