Pamela Lillian MCPHERSON

PAMELA LILLIAN LINDA McPHERSON (née Matthews) August 19, 1938 – April 16, 2023 It is with a profound mix of sadness and gratitude for a life well lived that we announce Pam's death on April 16, 2023, at the age of 84. Pam was born in Sarnia, Ontario, the daughter of Albert E. and Wynn Matthews; and sister to Wynn Harding and Albert Matthews, all deceased. She is survived by Thomas McPherson, her loving husband of 61 years; her three cherished children, Shelley (Jeff Breithaupt), Seanna (Laurie Kohl), and Matthew (Debra McCain); and her beloved grandchildren, Emmett, Davis, and Daphne. Also mourning her death and celebrating her life are the members of a large extended family of nieces, nephews, and their families, and a loving community of dear friends. Pam graduated in 1960 from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Victoria College. She loved her time there, studying literature and history and meeting lifelong friends in residence at Annesley Hall. Her relationship to Vic College was a throughline in her life, and her distinguished service included serving on the Board of Directors for the Jessie MacPherson Trust Fund, the Board of Trustees for the school's sesquicentennial, and as Chairman of the Board for the Victoria College Varsity Fund. In 2009, Pam was a recipient of the University of Toronto Arbor Award, which is the university's highest honour for volunteers, recognizing extraordinary levels of commitment. During her university years, she met Tom, a young lawyer who would go on to establish a successful practice in Aurora, Ontario, and the two were married in 1961, thus beginning a 61-year romantic partnership. For Pam, this productive time saw the beginning of an expansive career, fueled by an entrepreneurial spark and a commitment to community service and philanthropy. In the 1960s, she served as the President of the University Women's Club of York County; in the 1970s, she established Adventure Trips with Pam and Joyce, a day-tour travel company; in the 1980s, she co-founded Recognition Services, a successful consulting service representing artists for donor recognition projects with major clients, including York County Hospital and North York General, and opened Thorncroft Galleries, an antique store, on Yonge Street in Aurora. Pam, a lifelong learner whose love of film and literature was foundational, returned to the University of Toronto as a part-time student of film and, later, creative writing. Her short stories and poetry were beautifully written and reflected Pam's fascination with the human condition. Through it all, she volunteered her time in service of education and healthcare initiatives and raised her three children, introducing them to opportunities that would develop their skills and interests and encourage the pursuit of their passions. One such shared passion was for Geneva Park, the former YMCA leadership and conference centre on Lake Couchiching. Pam first visited the park at the age of 13; that summer began a love affair with 'GP' that lasted for the remainder of her life, and she treasured her memories of summers spent there cottaging with family and friends. Her love of the Park was reflected in her service on the YMCA Board of the National Council of YMCAs (Geneva Park). Her work in politics was the result of a deeply felt value system that civil society is built on participation at all levels of government. In 1984, when she ran as the federal Liberal candidate in the riding of York-Peel, she said: 'I am part of this community, and I want to work for the issues that are important to the community. If you want to build a better world, you have to work at it.' Although our hearts are heavy, we will cherish our memories of Pam, and we know that her rich and accomplished life and the many marvelous memories she inspires will remain a source of comfort and joy in the days and years ahead. In lieu of flowers, donations in Pam's name to Parkinson Canada would be appreciated. A celebration of Pam's wonderful life is planned for later in the spring.