Pamela R. (Pallin) Chassé – age 74, born May 25, 1937, died October 24, 2011
Pamela was born to Edgar and Dorena (Brands) Pallin. She grew up in Tillamook, Ore., and attended school there from first grade through high school. Pamela had many great adventures growing up, and made important bonds that she kept throughout her life. She enjoyed many reunions in her home town for Tillamook High School and other groups. After attending Willamette University, Pamela worked in Portland for Ma Bell and a printing company. During that time, Kathy was born to Pamela and Wayne Gibbens.
Pamela was a single mother during much of Kathy’s childhood, and she worked hard at it doing it well. She enjoyed raising Kathy, being an unofficial den mother for Kathy and her friends, and giving piano lessons for children in their neighborhood. Pamela eventually remarried to Paul Davis, who died just seven years later. Pamela married James “Jim” Chasse Sr. in 1983.
Pamela worked as a maintenance executive secretary at the Crown-Zellerbach/James River West Linn Paper Mill for 30 years. She retired in the early 2000s. She enjoyed her co-workers and found the work challenging and pleasant. Pamela had an active civic and social life. She played organ and piano for various churches she attended. She was involved in various square dance projects, including promoting dances to benefit children’s hospitals, being purchasing manager for a National Square Dance Convention and serving as president (and other positions) for a 1500-person organization.
She and Jim met while taking square dancing lessons in 1983. Pamela enjoyed working with flowers at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral and preparing food for Operation Nightwatch clientele. She also loved attending high school and college basketball tournaments, which led her to travel over most of North America during the past 15 years.
Pamela fought valiantly to keep on with her life after her cancer diagnosis in 2007. While she spent a lot of her personal time adjusting and coping with changes, she continued to live life to the fullest extent she could. Pamela stayed active socially and was an inspiration to many around her for how hard she fought for life and to be with those she loved.
She was particularly happy that she was able to attend her granddaughter Krista’s wedding in July 2011. Pamela’s grandchildren, Krista, Brandon and Claire, added zest to her life, as did her daughter, Kathy Maas; son-in-law, Chris Maas; stepson, Mark Chasse; and daughter-in-law, Becky Chasse. James Jr., Pamela’s card playing stepson, preceded her in death in 2006.
Pamela is also survived by her husband, Jim, who was her steadfast companion, husband and friend. A memorial will be at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011, at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 147 N.W. 19th Avenue; 503-222-9811. Remembrances may be made to Breast Friends in Tigard, Ore., or to your own favorite charity.