WESTFIELD- Pamela S. Wonson Pease, 76, died March 18, 2016 at Westfield Gardens with her loving family by her side. Born in Westfield on June 11, 1939, she was the daughter of the late Dr. J Fletcher Wonson and Rosamond Smith. Pam graduated from Mary Burham High School in 1957 and later graduated as an L.P.N .in 1970 from the Western Massachusetts Hospital of Nursing. Known by many for her kind and gentle spirit, she devoted over 30 years to the profession of nursing and touched many people along the way. During her nursing career she worked for many years at Noble Hospital where her father Dr. Fletcher Wonson had served as chief of staff. She always considered it an honor to walk in his footsteps. Specializing in Psychiatric nursing, Pam worked with patients in the Fowler Wing and devoted many years of service to the Respite Crisis Center in Westfield.
Pam (as she was known by those who loved her) was a long time member of the First Congregation Church in Westfield, where she was married and taught Sunday school for many years. Having grown up in a home on Western Ave, Stanley Park was to her an extension of her own back yard. She loved the park deeply because it had a connection that dated back to her childhood. In 1996, she and her husband Howard bought a home across the street from Stanley Park on Kensington Ave. The park once again became a special part of their lives and the lives of their families, as they enjoyed the yearly summer concerts, long walks in the gardens, feeding the ducks and squirrels and of course the fireworks display on the fourth of July.
Pam was an avid gardener and lover of nature. She would watch for the first humming bird of the year and would find great joy in feeding them as well as the other birds. She was known for her compassion for animals and would find great satisfaction in supporting local animal charities, namely, the Westfield Homeless Cat Shelter.
Some of Pam’s happiest moments in life where spent in Gloucester, Rockport, Disney, Florida and Cape Cod where she loved to visit and vacation. She enjoyed shared lunches with her nursing friends from work, card games with neighbors, walks with her basset hound God fry, and cuddle time with her cats Diva and Charlie. More than anything Pam loved holidays and being surrounded by family.
Pam will be deeply missed by ; her husband of 46 years; Howard A. Pease, her loving sister Candace McGinn, her daughter Rebecca Swords and her husband Keith, all residing in Westfield. She will also be missed by her son Jeremy Pease and his wife Erin of Southwick, as well as her daughter Tracy Lavender of Brewster. Pam also will be missed by her four grandchildren, Samantha and Sierra Swords and Liam and Sarah Pease, as well her niece Jill McGinn and her nephew Robert McGinn.
A celebration of life service will be held on April 13th at 11am at Christ The King Church in Westfield, with a reception to follow at East Mountain Country Club. She will be laid to rest next to her beloved son, Chip Patnode at Pine Hill Cemetery in Westfield during a private graveside service for immediate family only.
Donations may be made in Pam’s memory to Alzheimer’s disease Research at www.brightfocus.org/alzheimers
