Pamela M. Finney (nee’ Sharp), passed away peacefully in her Seattle home June 26, 2024 with her husband and daughter by her side. Pam was just two weeks shy of her 78th birthday and 4.5 years post a life altering pancreatic cancer diagnosis.

The only child of Harland and DeFayne Sharp, Pam was born and raised in Seattle, Washington where she attended Haller Lake Elementary, Jane Adams Middle School, and Ingraham High School. In her youth, Pam enjoyed singing in the school choir, caring for her poodle Pepper, and family road trips to Southern California, where they would stop to drink freshly squeezed orange juice at the farm stands along the way. Pam also spent summers boating the Puget Sound on yachts her father refurbished.

Pam enrolled at the University of Washington in 1964, where she pledged Phi Mu Fraternity and majored in art. Although Pam did not earn her degree, she was an artist to her core. From an early age, Pam was drawing, painting, cross stitching, and making her own clothes. She also put her artistic talents to work as a sign painter at Fredrick & Nelson department store.

While at the UW, Pam met her future husband Earl Finney on a blind date. They married in 1967 and welcomed their only daughter Danielle in 1974. Over the years Pam was also “mom” to the family’s parakeets, a west highland terrier named Robbie, and their beloved toy poodle Scamp. 

Pam was fiercely devoted to her family and persevered through countless medical setbacks to remain with them. In her life, Pam loved to travel and spent her free time reading, doing crosswords and watching her favorite TV programs. She also enjoyed painting, crafting, a good meal served on a sunny restaurant deck, and tending her flowerpot gardens. Pam was a fabulous cook, and she made holidays special with her meals and decorating.  Pam especially loved Christmas and infused the holiday with her own special magic. 

Pamela is preceded in death by her parents Harland and DeFayne Sharp and her “little sister”, sister-in-law Christine Connally. Left to cherish her memory are her beloved husband Earl P. Finney III of Seattle, her daughter and son-in-law Danielle Finney and Philip Lucas-Smith of Edmonds, and her “grand-dogs” Jasper and Kodi. Pam will also be missed by her extended family of loving in-laws, nieces, nephews and lifelong friends. 

Please join us in celebrating Pam’s life: 

11am, Wednesday, July 17, 2024

Assumption Catholic Church 

6201 33rd Ave NE 

Seattle, WA 98115

For family and friends who are far away, the service can also be watched online via Assumption’s YouTube channel and Facebook page. 

In lieu of flowers, Pamela has asked that donations be made in her memory to the three following organizations:

• Seattle Children’s Hospital 
• ASPCA   
• St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital

Heartfelt thanks to Sheila Connolly, Pam’s chaplain and dear friend. Shelia’s support provided Pam the greatest emotional and spiritual comfort through her illness. The Finneys are forever grateful for Sheila. Thanks also to the medical professionals from Kaiser Permanente and Swedish Hospital who guided Pam and her family through four long years of complex medical challenges. Finally, thank you to the compassionate professionals at Beck’s Tribute Center who are trusted with the arrangements for Pam’s final journey. 

Pam leaves a legacy of laughter, STRENGTH, creativity, devotion and love. She will be dearly missed by all whose lives she brightened.