Pamela Jo (Randles) Anderson

Pamela Jo (Randles) Anderson passed away Saturday, March 2, 2024, in Chicago, Illinois.

Born in Aurora, Illinois on June 3, 1969, Pam grew up in nearby Oswego. Pam graduated from Oswego High School in 1987, where she was a competitive swimmer, tennis player, cheerleader, all-conference basketball player, and class leader. She continued her education at Purdue University and became a beloved member of Delta Gamma. Pam stayed in Indiana after graduation, working for the Marriott Corporation and Indiana University before returning to Illinois to raise her family in Saint Charles.

Pam's distinctive insight, experience, and skills led to a career in educational publishing at Houghton-Mifflin Harcourt (HMH), where she would lead sales teams for over 25 years. Starting as a part-time consultant, Pam ascended to Senior Vice President of Inside Sales and National Accounts, achieving record success through her balanced leadership approach. Pam's strategic vision grew her division from 10 to 173 people. While Pam will be remembered for many accomplishments at HMH, her contributions as a mentor and coach will have an enduring impact.

Pam met her husband Scott on a blind date and they married a year later, in 1993. Their marriage was a true partnership and an example of love and joy. They shared a zest for life and a deep commitment to family. Pam awoke each day with energy and exuberance, ready to go and do, especially if it involved going to the beach or being in, on, or near the water. When her plan was ready, Scott would always say, "Let's go!"- making her dreams reality. From moving into Chicago in 2018 and exploring the city on their scooters to watching sunsets and scuba diving in Grand Cayman, Pam and Scott were always planning their next adventure, on an adventure, or recapping their latest adventure.

While Pam was intensely humble and had to be coaxed into talking about herself, she proudly shared stories about their daughters, Ali and Claire. They were her greatest reward and joy in life. Her favorite days were spent "making memories " with her family-they knew they were the center of her world. Even with a demanding career, Pam never missed a mock trial, volleyball game, neighborhood party, or special occasion.

A born cheerleader, Pam experienced sincere happiness rooting on friends and strangers alike. She viewed every event and person with an unwavering positive attitude. From friends' milestones to nameless runners crossing the Chicago Marathon finish line, she celebrated life's successes, large or small, with her uniquely contagious enthusiasm.

She found inspiration in those around her, valued experiences over things, and savored the joy in everyday life. Her favorite thing was lifting her face to the sun, closing her eyes to pause and feel the moment. Pam's attributes were many: loving, beautiful, smart, funny, strong, caring, tenacious, quietly competitive, calming, grounded, open, and so much more, but listening with grace may have been her greatest gift. She was endlessly curious, saying, "That's interesting. Why do you think that is?" or "Help me understand," and processed responses without judgment. Pam's manner was profoundly impactful, making those in her orbit feel seen, heard, understood, and supported.

Pam packed so much life into 54 years. She traveled the world, chased her dreams, worked in a profession she loved, fell in love and built a beautiful family. She did everything with grace and integrity and had a talent for asking the best questions, listening to learn, and giving the best advice. Each person she met was filled with comfort and the knowledge Pam truly cared.

She is survived by her husband Scott Anderson; daughters Alisann Anderson and Claire Anderson; her mother Beth Randles (nee Hayden); sister Julie (Gene) Frieders; three nieces, Chelsey (Tim) Neumann, Mackenzie Frieders, Renee Randles, and two nephews, Joshua Goldsberry and Michael Frieders. She is preceded in death by her father, Kirk Randles and her brother, Bill Randles.

Pam's many friends, colleagues, and family members were graced with her attention, her gifts, and her love. She made us better with her presence. Today, we can carry on her legacy in stories and actions. In Pam's honor, pause for a moment and lift your face to the sun, seek to listen with love, and do an act of unsolicited kindness in her name. And if you're having a moment where things might not be going exactly as planned, say the words Pam loved: "We're making a memory!"

Her departure comes as a great shock and the family deeply appreciates your support during this difficult time. A memorial service, celebrating Pam's life will be held in Chicago on Sunday, March 24th. To receive details, to leave a message for the family or to share memories, please see our memorial website: PamsCelebrationOfLife.rsvpify.com.

The family has requested remembrances be made in the form of contributions to one of the organizations Pam supported: Hope Chicago (https://donate.hopechicago.org/fundraiser/5344865) or Bernie's Book Bank (https://secure.givelively.org/donate/bernies-book-bank/pam-anderson-b14540b5-c601-4973-a4b5-3f6ffa0cd4b7).

Additionally, her friends have created a scholarship in Pam's name. To participate, donations can be made to the "Pamela Randles Anderson Memorial Scholarship" at https://donate.deltagamma.org/CSiDonate/Give.aspx/LGX2EOOX#c.