Pamela Anne Ashland

Pamela Anne Ashland, 76, of Sweet Home, passed away Sunday, November 2, 2025. She was born on December 14, 1948, to Frances Anne (Koller) and Thomas Earl Steward in Portland, Oregon.

A graduate of Marshall High School, Pam went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Portland State University. While in college, Pam worked as a counselor at Camp Namanu, where she formed bonds with a group of CITs she worked with, and they continued their friendship throughout the years. She was the first woman hired "off the street" into management at the Pacific Northwest Bell telephone company, where she made lifelong friends.

In 1975, Pam married the love of her life, Gerald (Jerry) Ashland. They moved up to Mt. Hood and built a home in Rhododendron that they shared for over forty years before moving to Sweet Home in 2025. Pam and Jerry welcomed their daughter, Sarah, in 1984. After Sarah's birth, Pam left her job at Timberline Lodge to pursue her legacy of becoming a lifetime community volunteer. She read and created books with elementary students at Welches School, volunteered her time at the Hoodland Library, led Girl Scout troops, and worked with the League of Women Voters, among many other community activities.

Pam will be remembered for her tireless work to better the lives of countless others, her tenacity, and the supportive "mom" role she took on for so many kids. She was welcoming, patient, a lover of books and film, and a listening ear to anyone who needed it. Her servant's heart, witty sense of humor, and keen ability to know just about everything truly set her apart. She was so loved and will be missed by many.

She is survived by her husband, Jerry, daughter, Sarah McNellis, and son-in-law, Sean McNellis. Pam was preceded in death by her parents, Frances and Thomas, and her niece, Megan.

A celebration of life will be in the Spring of 2026. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in her name to the Sweet Home Public Library/Friends of the Library or to the Lewy Body Dementia Association. Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements. www.sweethomefuneral.com