Pamela Marie Roney

With grace, style and courage, our dear Pamela passed away peacefully on August 19, 2014, at the Franciscan Hospice House after a very short illness. God must have needed a strong angel for some big jobs. Pam was truly a force of nature and will surely keep all of our loved ones in heaven laughing and irreverent. She was 64 years old. Pam was a Nurse Practitioner at the International Community Health Services in Seattle for over 13 years. She worked until being forced to retire by her illness. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Texas Women’s University, Denton, TX and her Master’s degree from Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, WA. She was a member since her undergraduate days of Sigma Theta Tau International, the Honor Society of Nursing. The CEO at ICHS had described her as “one of the fiercest women I know” and “such an appreciated truth-teller and guide as she raised concerns about our patients and how we care for them”. She was also remembered as “a big part of who ICHS is”. A Medical Director at ICHS described her as “a big person in a small frame. She leaves a big shadow”. A memorial was held at ICHS on Friday, September 19th, at which friends and colleagues remembered her kind heart, generosity of spirit, and exceptional patient care. What more beautiful gift could Pam have given the world than a lifetime filled with caring and kindness. Pam was also deeply involved with Therapeutic Touch Professional Associates (TTPA) and their International Association (TTIA). Her many colleagues in TT watched over her during her illness. Therapeutic Touch was just one more example of her giving and caring soul. One of her TT associates described her this way; “She was always so present to you when in her company. And, when you looked into her eyes she radiated love and compassion”. She was a devoted wife, mentor and companion. Pam loved to travel with her husband, Bob, when he was a pilot for Continental Airlines. They had numerous adventures riding bicycles and BMW motorcycles throughout the United States and Europe. Pam was an accomplished sailor, as first mate to Bob, on many bareboat charter sailing trips with family and friends. The British Virgin Islands were a favorite destination for the adventurer and were visited many times over the past 30 years. Other great sailing trips were along the Turquoise Coast in Turkey and the last one just four years ago was a return to Athens, Greece and sailing the Aegean Islands with some of her best lifelong friends. Pam was an avid flower, fruit and vegetable gardener and a true gourmet cook. She loved all her wild birds but especially her humming birds and bald eagles, and was a long time member of the Audubon Society. She loved to read on a wide variety of topics and genres, but she particularly enjoyed her Sunday NY Times. Along the way she practiced her golf game and earned her private pilot’s license. One of her special loves was her wine collection of which she kept scrupulous records; so much so that she often became the unofficial sommelier when with good friends. Pam loved her large and extended family. Her mother died when she was eight. But her father, two sisters and brother were fortunate to combine with a loving and dear family that had recently lost their father. This provided her with three more brothers and a younger sister. Her thoughtfulness was a strong part of her character. Throughout her life Pam was famous for never forgetting an anniversary or a birthday. Her large family and many friends were always amazed at her faithfulness to send cards in an age when people are busy and barely have time to think of someone’s birthday let alone write a thoughtful card. She made a special effort to stay connected blessing all with kind and encouraging words. Pam was born October 10, 1949, to Henry Barrick and Julia Oswald in Aurora, Ill. She was also predeceased by her step-mother, Kirsti Schneider Barrick. She is survived by her husband, Bob Roney, her sisters, Linda Siebold, Susan Baucom, Sandra Seibel and brothers "Bud" Barrick, James Schneider, William Schneider, and Michael Schneider. She will be missed by her brothers and sisters-in-law Rick and Jana Roney, Pat and Linda Roney, and Marie and Vic Carter as well as her mother-in-law Dolores Roney. Also missing her will be too many cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and co-workers to mention. And Pam’s very special friends AJ and Terri King will never forget her. A Celebration of Pam’s most excellent life was held at the family home on Oct. 11, 2014. In lieu of flowers, a contribution in her memory may be made to Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, Wa., The Audabon Society or Franciscan Hospice, 2901 Bridgeport Way West, Tacoma, WA 98466. “We will meet you on another day, on a long winding road. Wait for us there.”