LAWSON – It is with sadness we share that our mom, Pamela Jean Lawson, has passed away ~ unexpectedly but peacefully in her sleep at the age of 68.
Born and raised in southern Alberta, she was proud to be a farm girl and come from a small community where people were “salt of the earth”, and everyone looked out for each other. Growing up in Patricia, attending school later in Duchess, and living in Brooks, there was a sense of comfort to her that many of the people she crossed paths with she had known her entire life. In 2009 she embarked on a new adventure by moving to Calgary with the devoted and caring Esmail Mohamud. But the memories of shared moments with family and friends that spanned decades had planted their seeds deep within her soul, and she felt homesick for her roots and the place she felt she belonged. Three years ago, she followed that feeling in her heart, and she moved back to Brooks to retire and be closer to friends and family.
When we think of our Mom, we think of Strength. Life wasn’t always easy for her, but she took everything in stride and forged ahead, making the most of the cards life dealt, and doing it well. In an era when it was heavily frowned upon, she became a teen mother at the age of 16. The bravery and strength it took to make that decision defined her, her whole life. She was Courageous, she was Caring, and she was Tenacious, and we are both grateful and proud of her for those traits.
Another defining trait: Compassionate. She derived such purpose and meaning in life from being of service to others. Whether that was through caring for clients when she owned her hair salon, Classic Cuts, where most times it was more about the heartfelt conversations with the people in her chair than it was about the haircuts, or through her work at Brooks Victim’s Services. Of all the jobs she had in her life, this was the one she valued most. Being a gentle, guiding presence in people’s time of need was her true soul’s calling. She loved helping others and her time there meant so much to her.
The other thing she loved most… being a Mom, and even moreso, a Grandma. Oh how she loved her Taylor. The sun, and moon, and all the stars set and rose around her favourite girl. She was so proud of her, and to have played such a big part in her childhood. Mom loved spending time with all three of us girls, and getaways to Las Vegas, Vancouver, Radium, Banff and Canmore, as well as our times meeting for shared meals and arts & crafts over the years, will be memories we hold dear. We will think of her every time we listen to a Johnny Reid song, make her Italian marinated salad, do anything artistic because she was seemingly talented at it all, wrap a Christmas present with a ridiculous amount of bows and curly ribbons …we will think of her, and we will miss her.
Pam was predeceased by her parents Jim and Bernice Westwick, her son Jamie, and just 2 months ago, her sister Bea Seely. She is survived by her daughters Sheila Enevold and Shawna Hogg (Darrell) her granddaughter Taylor; her sister Loretta and her son CJ (Cheyanne) and their daughter Camryn; her brother Gene (Kelly) and their sons Brett (Jesse) and their children Jase and Zoey, Lane (Dakota) and their son Ben. Nieces Jerri (Garry) Fletcher, Danelle (Lance) Ulrick and their son Aaron; her son-in-law Ryan Enevold and her closest friends, Sheryl Davidson and Janet Moreau.
With her death, we are consoled by the thought that she is now reunited with many of her loved ones but especially those she missed the most: her Mom, her dear friend Paul Tessier, her very best friend (and fellow fun & mischief maker) Phyllis Gallant and her youngest child & beloved son Jamie, whom she has missed dearly every single day since the moment he left. It brings us great comfort to think of him wrapping his arms around her, resting his chin on the top of her head (she was quite short after all) and welcoming her with the biggest, most loving hug she has been waiting 30 long years to have.
To honor our mother’s wishes, there will be no funeral service. We invite you to please celebrate her memory and honour her in your own special ways. She will be with us all in spirit. In the summer, on a warm and beautiful day, we will take her Home by spreading her ashes on her family’s land in a place she loved as a child.
Because there will be no service we will miss out on the opportunity to hear your shared moments and memories of our Mom. It would mean so much if you would still share those with us, either via the funeral home website (choicememorial.com) or private messages via email and social media.
We sincerely Thank You for your care and understanding. Our tender hearts have been handled with such kindness and compassion by so many, and it has meant the world to us during this very difficult time to feel a sense of community support.
