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Pamela Lawder Obituary
July 2, 1951 - June 28, 2025
Modesto, California - Pamela would always say that a mother who raised three boys has earned her place in Heaven. She went to heaven surrounded by the love of her three boys, Andrew, Ian, and James Lawder on June 28th, 2025 in Modesto, CA. Pamela was the eldest daughter and born in 1951 in Hayward, CA to Harry and Diana Franceschi. She was a proud graduate of Cal Berkeley, completing a B.A in History in between rabble rousing and social protests in the Quad. Once her boys were almost done with school, she focused her efforts on obtaining her teaching credentials so that she could aid in the pursuit of education of adult learners at Manteca Adult Education.
Pamela had a passion for the arts, travel, cooking, and above all: tennis. She will be remembered for her boundless generosity, social spirit, and deep love for her family and friends. Once Pamela met someone, they became part of her family.
The family would like to thank her dear friends Nancy Webb, Mitchell Mesimer, Gini Asai, Linda Bejaran, and so many more for their care and friendship to Pamela throughout this difficult journey.
She is survived by her sons, Andrew (Martha), Ian (Jenny), and James, her mother, Diana, and her two brothers, Steven and Gary (Inga). She was also affectionately known as Pink Grandma to her grandchildren Esther and Calvin (Andrew) and Claira and Jeffrina (Ian). Welcoming her to Heaven was her father, Harry.
As Pamela always loved a good party with friends and laughter, her dear friends Nancy and Bill Webb have opened their home for her sons to host a celebration of life. This will be held on Saturday, July 26th, at 11:00 a.m. at 905 Bel Passi Drive in Modesto, CA.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to please donate to a charity of your choosing, as Pamela had a generous heart and so many interests.
Pamela's kindness will be her legacy, and her love will remain with us forever.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Pamela Lawder
Sponsored by ModestoBee.com.
2 Entries
Rebecca Reeder-Hunt
July 5, 2025
My condolences to Pam´s family. I will miss her very much. Pam and I hit it off as soon as we met 55 years ago, and I will always think of her as she looked that fall of her freshman year in college (cropped photo). She never stopped teasing me about not being able to be one of her bridesmaids because I was applying for new career positions and wasn´t sure when or where I might have to move. However, she had me spend a couple of nights with her in her parents´ home in 1976, and I felt very much a part of her festivities. Through the decades Pam and I remained in touch, whether talking at length on the phone, writing long letters, emailing, texting, and occasionally (not often enough) getting together. Over the years she helped potential new members with sorority recommendations for her sorority Gamma Phi Beta. Until we meet again, dear Pam; I am glad we always ended our phone calls by telling each other how much we cared about one another.
Duane Nelson
July 3, 2025
Condolences to Pam's family. She was a fine and proud local graduate of CAL, Berkeley.
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