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Pamela Gayle Doctor
08/14/1944 — 11/27/2024
Born in Topeka, KS
Pamela Gayle Doctor
Pamela Gayle Doctor was born to John Joseph Ananis and Harriet Ione Merryman in Topeka, Kansas. She passed away on Wednesday, November 27th, at the age of 80 years old.
Pamela lived in various cities as she grew up. She attended Washburn University and graduated in 1966 with her teaching degree in math. Then, she transferred to Iowa State University from 1966 to 1976. During her time there, she earned her master’s degrees in both psychology and statistics and finally earned her doctorate in statistics. While attending Iowa State University, she met her future husband. Steven and Pamela were married in 1968.
Steven and Pamela moved to Kennewick, WA in 1976 to work at Battelle. Over the next two years, they designed and built their house. They expanded their family in 1983 with a son and again in 1986 with a daughter.
Pamela worked as a statistician, scientist, project manager, etc. at Battelle, Bechtel Corporation, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory over her storied career. Pamela mentored and supported many young professionals in the STEM industry. She volunteered her time, skills, and energy at the Mid-Columbia Ballet for over 40 years as a board member and also performed in the Nutcracker party scene for a number of years. In her tenure on the board, she served in every board position and was the fundraising chair for 20 years. Pamela believed in the power and therapy of the performing arts. When she began to transition to retirement in 2010, Pamela became a Master Gardener where she left her mark on the community through her long hours spent at the WSU Master Gardener Demonstration Garden behind the Mid-Columbia Libraries and the annual plant sale. She served as secretary and president of the Master Gardener Foundation and took on the special project to create the memorial wall to honor deceased Master Gardeners. She also looked after maintaining the brick plaques at the entrance to the garden. While President, Pamela worked with many other Master Gardeners and the Washington State University Landscape Architecture students, to create an open-air Waterfall Classroom at the Demonstration Garden where up to 50 people can gather for lectures and events.
One of her escapes in the world was the weekend Rhodesian ridgeback rumbles/walks with her friends. She loved taking Pilates reformer classes at the local gym to stay in shape.
Pamela is survived by her husband, Steven; her son and his wife, Jay and Arunima; her daughter, Agatha; her younger sister, Carol; one dog; two cats; and four grand kitties.
A celebration of life is being planned for Spring 2025.
Pam was truly a wonderful Master Gardener. I so appreciated her talent, help, a dear friend.
Mariana Haug
Pam was, at various times, my boss, my project leader, my co-worker, my workout partner, and my house guest. But she was always my friend, my confidant, and my work buddy. As one of the few other female statistical project managers at the Department of Energy’s National Lab in Richland, WA, we always had each other’s backs! Pam knew how to smile and laugh, but also knew how to negotiate a tough agreement with a sponsor or co-worker.
Pam was a person of many talents. I always admired her ability to balance work with her other many interests in the community, and her family. What energy, what grace!
I will miss you Pam. You taught me many things –including how to be a strong, yet caring person.
I am honored to have worked with Pam on the Mid-Columbia Ballet board. She was such a caring and intelligent woman. Pam was very dedicated to the areas she was passionate about – ballet and gardening were among the few that I was able to share her interest in. Pam was the fundraising chair for many years and ensured the ballet had resources. When one sources was no longer available, she was creative in finding a new one, the amount increased regularly over her time as chair. My time on the board pales in comparison to hers but I will always treasurer the time and experiences I had with Pam.
My heart goes out the family and everyone who loved her. This is such a high loss.
Being in Pam’s dog walking group for many years was a weekly treat for so many reasons. Pam was one of those women who projected strength, and softness, and was so incredibly smart. She showed up with 2 huge dogs (we all had dogs come and go through the years, but this was Pam’s most frequent form), 2 walking sticks, boots, and a set determination to gets those dogs a walk! As we went through Amon Preserve I loved hearing Pam and the other women in our group talk about family, politics, books, work, health and wellness and whatever was on our minds. It was such a supportive and nurturing group for me to be invited into having no family on the west coast. I found my dog people! Pam was the epitome of a woman to me. Strong and loving, intelligent and a leader, but not boastful or forceful. She was a psychologist, as well as a statistician, for sure…and she beyond a doubt adored her kids, whom she talked of often. They, and their dad, are so lucky to have Pam. I’m certainly jealous! My wish is they continue to feel her love no matter what. Hugs and love to the family.
I am going to miss Pam. She was a pleasure to work with in the Demonstration Garden in Kennewick. When her health allowed her, she was always a hard worker. The last time I worked with her she was in a neck brace, but she came to support me and Jan Tomlinson as we worked on refurbishing plaques in the Entry Way Garden. She was so sweet and dedicated and loved working as a Master Gardener.
My wish for the family is that they will be comforted by loving memories of a wonderful woman.
Pam was a wonderful friend to me for many years. I met her while working with the Mid-Columbia Ballet and later with the Masters Gardeners. She was special to me and I feel much sadness. May her very beautiful family find peace and comfort.
Pam and I became acquainted as volunteer Master Gardeners, in particular working in the WSU Demonstration Garden behind the Mid-Columbia Library on Union St. in Kennewick. We served as leaders of the Demo Garden Steering Committee for several years together and worked on maintaining and improving the appearance of the gardens for the enjoyment of the community. We discovered we were like-minded in many ways, and I really enjoyed helping Pam with various projects. She always had a warm smile and remained upbeat even when her health declined. Despite her quiet and unpretentious nature, I was amazed at how she was able to take on tasks -even those that others had been unable to accomplish – and work with the appropriate people and businesses to accomplish those projects. Once, because of her involvement with the Mid-Columbia Ballet, she arranged for the Nutcracker ballet dancers to perform some of their scenes in the various gardens at the Demo Garden (in the cold weather!). As mentioned in her obituary, she was instrumental in getting the Waterfall Classroom structure at the Demo Garden designed by WSU’s Landscape Architecture students, approved by the City of Kennewick and WSU, and built by Master Gardeners. She then became the Garden Chair for that “garden” for several years until her physical health made it too difficult for her.
Always a professional, Pam was very humble about talking about herself. I had no idea she had a doctorate in statistics and was such a respected scientist and project manager at various companies at Hanford! Like her mentoring and supporting younger professionals at work, I now realize I was also a recipient of her support and subtle encouragement to assert myself and take on new endeavors. I regret that I couldn’t spend more time with her. I am sure I missed out on getting to know better a truly remarkable, talented and generous person. May her family take comfort in her positive influence in so many people’s lives who crossed her path!
I’ve known Pam for over 40 years. We met when she, Janis and I were all working in Sigma 3 and all pregnant. It was wonderful having such support. In more recent years we would get together for extended lunches to catch up on family and life in general. Pam always made time for people. She is missed.
I’ve been friends with Pam for over 60 years. One of my funny memories was when we went shopping instead of going to our sorority dinner. And we got CAUGHT. We never figured out who turned us in. I actually joined that sorority because of Pam. We were very close in college and have stayed in touch all these years.
It’s so hard to lose our precious friends.
I knew Pam through the Mid-Columbia Ballet Board of Directors. When I met her I was in awe of her brillance, kindness and support. She was so devoted to her role as Fundraising Chair for so many years. I will remember her at the many board meetings. I was surprised and saddened when I learned she had passed away so suddenly.
Peace and love to her dear family,
Paula Tulberg
Everyone involved with Mid-Columbia Ballet gives thanks and honors the memory and invaluable contributions of Pam, a very dedicated Board Member for four decades. Pam’s legacy at Mid-Columbia Ballet is undeniable. She served in all leadership roles and was the fundraising chair for 20 years. Her love and advocacy for dance and her dedication shaped Mid-Columbia Ballet and will continue to inspire us for years to come.
Mom was the best of us. While she had quirks and was imperfect, she was the perfectly imperfect mom for me. She was always there to root for me even as a kid when I thought it was embarrassing. She was always there to help me whenever I needed it. I was gifted 3 months with her earlier this year where I got to know/connect with my mom on a different level, one in which I was required to (happily) step up and be her health advocate. She learned to lean on me in her tough moments just like she did for me throughout my life. I returned the love I had received all my life to her and helped her at home, with dad’s care, cleaning, appointments, etc. This year was one of her hardest and I have never been more proud of her. I am lucky to share her genes.
As she laid in the ICU in the hospital, I notified her friends and co-workers of her condition. Her friends told my family how important mom was in developing their careers and how she supported them. There was a continual theme of how my mom helped so many people in their careers. But she didn’t limit her abilities to careers, she contributed so much to the local community. It blows my mind how much she did for free, out of the goodness of her heart. Like her, I feel humbled by her and her legacy although she would brush it off. She was my hero (or shero).
She was my best friend and my mom. And while my heart is broken, I know this grief is all the love I have for her in an unexpressed form. May I grieve all my life to continue feeling the love. Love you beyond words and expression, mama!
Forever in my heart . Sending love to the family.
Pam was a remarkable woman . As a highly respected research scientist, she was admired for her professional achievements which were delivered with gracious humility. My husband Joe remembers her as a brilliant statistician. He credits Pam for advancing his career at Battelle by teaching him geostatistics snd kriging methodology. They coauthored a paper that was published in Water Resources Research, a preeminent hydrology journal at the time. It led to opportunities for further research, and he really appreciated working with her.
I will remember Pam as my cherished friend and neighbor. I so enjoyed our visits. With our like-minded priorities and values, we shared laughs and opinions. She was a good listener and a wise advisor. I will miss her cheerful greetings. May she rest in peace.
Pam was a wonderful mentor, and a great inspiration. What a gift it was for me to cross paths with her and all my love to her family.
I will miss her. We had a wonderful friendship. I got to know her family and she loved them very much. God bless her🙏🙏 love you Pam my friend Dee Johnson
A wonderful memoriam to an important member of our community. Her contributions were and will continue to benefit many people in our region.
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Pamela Gayle Doctor