Obituary
Pamela Grace Whelan’s family is saddened to announce that she died on August 18, 2022, at the far too early age of 69 years, at the end of an exhausting and courageous journey with stomach cancer. Pam passed peacefully at the palliative care unit of Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital in Toronto, surrounded by her family. In recent years, Pam’s principal residence was near Collingwood, but depending on the season and the moment she also called Toronto or Phoenix her home.
Pam will be lovingly remembered by Jerry, her husband of almost 40 years; children Laura (Dan Lytwyn), Patrick (Betty), and John; grandchildren Lucas and Oliver Whelan; sister Pat Jermey (Joe Micallef); uncle Jack Smith; as well as numerous extended family members and friends. Pam was predeceased by her brother Scott Jermey; and her parents Grant and Grace Jermey.
Pam grew up on Pine Plains Farm in Oro-Medonte Township near Hawkestone. She attended the University of Toronto, living in residence at Whitney Hall, and graduated with a BComm in 1975. Pam joined Price Waterhouse in Toronto in July 1975 in pursuit of a Chartered Accountancy (CA) designation. After writing the national CA examination in 1976, she became the first woman in the history of the examination to receive the Governor-General’s gold medal for the top result. While at Price Waterhouse Pam met the love of her life and best friend Jerry who she married in 1983. She worked for Creson Investments from 1981 to 1986 before settling into the joy of her life, raising three wonderful children with Jerry.
Raising her family was a true joy for Pam. She loved watching Laura, Patrick and John develop from first steps and words, reading stories, playing games, taking outings, celebrating birthdays, holidays and accomplishments, helping and guiding them on their school homework and projects, nurturing their interests and creativity, and navigating the usual challenges of adolescence. Pam was so pleased that her children have used their French immersion language skills later in life, while travelling or working abroad. Pam had a lifelong love of reading, music, live theatre, travel, puzzles and games, and participation in sport; she was so proud to see these interests flourish in different ways in each of her children. Also central to family life was the annual outing to Red Pine Camp for a week (or two) of delightful family time with friends under the pines, a time she cherished. Pam also enjoyed volunteering in the community – at the school library, making costumes for the drama club, teaching Sunday School, and sorting and promoting books at the church rummage sale. More recently she also thoroughly enjoyed being a grandmother to Lucas and Oliver.
Pam’s Christian faith has also been central in her life, nurtured in her youth at Esson Presbyterian Church in the farm country of Oro-Medonte, and later at Armour Heights Presbyterian Church in Toronto.
Pam passed her retirement years in the spring, summer and fall in the glorious country on the Niagara Escarpment near Collingwood, gardening, quilting, reading, puzzling, golfing at the Blue Mountain Golf Club, occasionally travelling, and enjoying the company of family and friends. In recent years, Pam and Jerry continued Jerry’s family’s tradition of wintering in Arizona, enjoying the sun, golf, outdoor music concerts, Arizona travel, and the company of family and Phoenix and Canadian friends.
Pam was a “salt of the earth” person. She always thought of others before herself, she resisted attention, and she had a wonderful sense of humour. While Pam always put her family first, she had many interests and enjoyed hosting friends, gardening, golf, crafts (quilting, watercolor paints), music, travel, reading and puzzles. Pam left an impression on all those she met even in the last few days of her life. Pam will live on in the hearts of her family and friends. Her laughter and love will stay with us forever.
Pam has been cremated. Visitations will take place in Toronto and Orillia on dates yet to be determined. A Service of Memorial and Thanksgiving will also take place in Toronto at a date yet to be determined. This service will be livestreamed and recorded for those not able to attend. Pam’s ashes will be interred in the cemetery at Esson Presbyterian Church.
If desired, donations in Pam’s memory may be made to The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation directed to the Stomach Cancer Research Fund either online at supportthepmcf.ca/ui/PamelaGraceWhelan/donations/start or by phone at 416-946-6560 or 1-866-224-6560.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Pamela Grace Jermey Whelan May 15 1953 August 18 2022 (age 69)..
Death notice for the town of: Orillia, Province: Ontario