Priscilla Jane Bastien

PRISCILLA JANE BASTIEN Priscilla Jane Bastien (Pam) passed away peacefully on Dec. 7th. Pam was born on Dec. 12, 1920, in Port Huron, Mich., the daughter of Malcolm and Eleanor (Roehm) MacDowell. Upon graduation from Southeastern High School and after attending the University of Detroit, Pam moved to New York to seek a career in the fashion world. She became a model and returned to Detroit to further her ambition in fashion apparel. She became the store model and fashion coordinator for the B. Siegel Co. department store and went on to become assistant buyer, continuing as a fashion show model. During World War II, she was the poster girl for the sale of war bonds. In 1945, she married Ralph Henry Bastien Jr., in Grosse Pointe, Mich., and moved to Kalamazoo. Her community activities included being an active member of the Borgess Service League, of which she was a board member and chairperson. She was an American Red Cross volunteer, served on the board of the Cheff Center, and was a member of St. Timothy's Church and active in the altar guild, She was a member of the Gull Lake Country Club and the Park Club. She and Ralph moved to Vero Beach. Fla., after his retirement from the Kalamazoo Gazette, where they lived for 21 years. While in Florida, Pam was not only a member but also served on the board of the Vero Beach Yacht Club, where she presided as president of the Shipmates. She was also a member of the Grand Harbor Yacht & Country Club. Pam and Ralph moved back to the Gull Lake area in 2001. She leaves behind her cherished husband of 62 years. Also surviving are three daughters, Betsy Bastien (Bruce), Suzanne Dickenshied (Mark), Celeste Statler (Fred), and five grandchildren, Teagan Drayton (Charles), Molly Leet, Bobby Leet, Fritz Statler, and Maude Statler, and a sister, Margaret Robinson, of Troy. She was preceded in death by a brother, Robert MacDowell, of Traverse City. Her favorite memories were of flying with her husband in their Bonanza, boating in Michigan, Florida and the Bahamas, and anything associated with spring and water. Pam died with dignity and grace. She has been laid to rest in a private family ceremony at the Yorkville Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, 9800 East B.C. Ave., in Richland, on Tuesday, Dec. 18, at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in Pam's name to Rose Arbor Hospice Residence.