Honoring Pam Howe - Supporting Orphans Education

Dear Friends and Family of Pam,

I met Pam my Junior year at Emma Willard. We became like sisters.
Pam and I shared not just our high school days but went on to become roommates at Ithaca College.

Pam and I have kept in touch over the years, brining joy into my life even while she was fighting for hers. However, this past January, she sadly lost that battle to cancer. Here is an excerpt from her obituary:


“Pamela Katherine Howe left this earthly realm on January 30, 2021 with the same grace and gentleness with which she lived her life. She took leave with a full and grateful heart for the immeasurable opportunities and blessings she experienced throughout her 60 years.

Pam was born and raised in Rhinebeck, New York, the daughter of Clarence Kennedy Howe and Margaret Mary O'Hare. She received her undergraduate degree and graduate degree respectively from Ithaca College and Springfield College.

Her love of athletics brought her to Greensboro in the mid eighties when she accepted the position of Head Coach for the Women's Soccer and Lacrosse teams at Guilford College. Her later interest in technology, and teaching and learning led her to the academic community at UNCG where she became an Educational Technology Consultant in the School of Health and Human Sciences. Her career spanned over 20 years at the university.

It's challenging summing up Pam: she was so much to so many. She was a loving partner to Ann May. She was a devoted daughter, bonding with her father, Bud, on the golf course, and with her mother, Peggy, enjoying hour long telephone conversations filled with laughter and tenderness. Pam's enjoyment of Ann's children and her nieces and nephews gave her sheer delight. Her curiosity about each of their lives, along with her ability to connect, and her contagious sense of humor made her loved by all. Pam treasured her seven brothers and sisters and was a committed and loyal friend.

Pam loved home life. Food was essential, wine imperative, and good company a must. She was happiest taking a walk with Ann alongside their dogs, Tater and Toby, observing the solace of the woods and the wild signs of nature. Life was rich, an ever-present offering for the taking, and Pam was mindful of the daily presentations.

Due to the current pandemic, a celebration of her life will be planned later in the year. Until then, may we remember Pam's generous smile that crinkled her eyes and calmed our souls.”


In her honor, I reached out to Lesley Gibson, another friend of Pam’s from Emma and Ithaca, as well as her sister Sarah to create a legacy for Pam’s spirit. After learning of Pam’s nephews’ efforts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where he has created an orphanage for children in the gravest of situations, we decided this was the direction we wanted to take to honor her legacy. Pam was one of the first and largest contributors to the “Fesser and Friends Center for Hope”, and the children at the center all loved her dearly for it.

Pam dedicated her life to education. Supporting these children so they may achieve their educational goals seems like the most fitting way of honoring the educator in Pam. Depending on the amount of donations we receive; we are poised to make a big difference in these children’s lives. Donations in Pam’s memory may fund:

·       Creation of a library

·       Purchasing of new desks and blackboards at local schools

·       Purchasing of computers for the children and teachers

 
If you are interested and able to make a donation, please donate to this GoFundMe or contact us so the funds can be allocated in honor of Pam. Please email: [email redacted] and [email redacted].

 
With love and so much gratitude,

Ellen Friedlander & Lesley Gibson

 



** Fesser and Friends Center for Hope is in the process of acquiring 501(c)(3) status **

** More information on the organization can be found at www.fesserandfriends.org **