Pamela Howe Brown

Brown, Pamela Howe
Venice, Fla. - Pamela Howe Brown passed away on Nov. 3, 2024, in Tampa, Fla., surrounded by her family, after a battle with cancer. Pam was distinguished by her kindness, her sophistication, her gift for building lasting relationships, and her unwavering commitment to lifting up others - qualities that underpinned both her professional and personal life.
Pam was a trailblazer in public relations. In 1979, she founded the public relations and communications firm that became Sawchuk Brown Associates when she was joined by her then-husband, David P. Brown. Under Pam's leadership, Sawchuk Brown grew into one of the Capital Region's most prominent firms. In 2010, Pam became Vice President of Community Development for Albany Medical Center. Pam also served on many boards, including the Albany Institute of History & Art, the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce, the University at Albany Foundation, KeyBank, and Albany Medical Center.
In 2014, Pam married Gordon E. Olson, and in 2020, they began the next chapter of their lives in Venice, Fla.
Pam was born in Cropseyville, on Feb. 7, 1949, to Marjorie Rising (Ransom) and John A. Howe. She was predeceased by her sister, Victoria (Mark McCarty). She is survived by her husband, Gordon E. Olson; her siblings, Todd and Sally; her stepchildren, Beth Hage and Paul Brown; her close nephew, Matthew McCarty (Megan Murphy); as well as extended family across North America and a wide circle of close friends.
A memorial service will be held on Jan. 11, 2025, at 11 a.m., at the Bush Memorial Center (50 1st Ave., Troy), and streamed online at,
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/7136279057?omn=73562083100. Memorial donations may be made in Pam's name to the Albany Medical Center Foundation.