Pamilla Rachel Ricken

Pamilla (Smith) Ricken was called to her Eternal Home on December 18, 2018, in Gresham, OR, at the age of 70. Pamilla was born in Portland, Oregon, to Harold Sydney Smith, Jr and Ildra Pamilla (Martin) Smith. She joined her older sister Carol and a year later, Judith was born to complete the family.

Pam attended Parkrose High School and graduated in 1966. She continued her education at Cascade College in Portland and attended for one year. The next year Pam transferred to Portland State University where she attended for the next 3 years.

Pam volunteered for a Summer Evangelistic Mission Team, sponsored by The Salvation Army, going the White River Indian Reservation where she met her husband-to-be. Pam & Rick were married in 1970 and continued to live in Portland. They had two sons, Brian & Andrew and moved to Chicago, Illinois for Rick’s work. Pam moved to Naperville, Illinois when she and Rick parted ways and continued to enjoy raising her two boys.

Pam took a job, which she loved, with the City of Lisle, Illinois, in the Property Department. Some years later she began employment with The Salvation Army, in Des Plaines, Illinois. She loved her job in the Territorial Program Department and served there for over 20 years. Pam has been an active member of The Salvation Army Portland Tabernacle Corps/Church, since childhood - her move to Chicago allowed her to attend The Salvation Army Oakbrook Terrace Corps/Church and continue her involvement with many aspects of The Salvation Army Ministries.

Pam loved her sons deeply and was looking forward to being a grandmother. She rejoiced when two precious children - soon to be her grandchildren - were brought into Andrew’s life, along with his fiancé, Liza. Pam loved traveling to both Brian & Andrew’s homes to spend holidays and special occasions with them. She loved being around people and spent much of her time caring for children at church. She will be greatly missed by so many friends and family, especially when they think of the love and care that Pam shared over the years.

Pam was preceded in death by her parents Sydney & Ildra Smith. She is survived by her sons, Brian and Andrew. She is also survived by her sisters Carol Mallery & Judy Smith, and two Aunts, Nema Rowoth (Trenton, Missouri) and Helen Wilson (Woodburn, Oregon), and one Uncle, David Smith (Zephyrhills, Florida) and many, many cousins.

There will be Viewing on Wednesday, January 9th from 4:00-8:00 pm, at Lincoln Memorial Park. Pam’s Memorial Service - a Celebration of Life - will be on Saturday, January 12th at 11:00 am, at The Salvation Army Portland Tabernacle Corps on 1712 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland.

Graveside Service will be at Lincoln Memorial Park at 3:00 pm, on Mt Scott Blvd, Portland.

In Lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Salvation Army for a Youth Programming fund in Pamilla Ricken’s name.