Pamela B. Guthrie
Feb. 7, 1939 – Nov. 30, 2022
Pamela Blakeley Guthrie, formerly of the United Kingdom and Manhattan, NY, died in Richmond, Va. at the age of 83. Pam was predeceased by her husband Eugene J. Guthrie, her parents Walter and Dorothy (Ford) Blakeley, and her sisters Enid Earthy, Doreen Heap and Suzanne Blakeley. Pam is survived by her sisters Brenda Robinson and Jennifer Spencer as well as many nieces and nephews. Pam was born in Burnley, Lancashire, England and was baptized and confirmed in the Anglican Church of St. Peter. Pam was a bell ringer of the church calling parishioners to prayer. While in England, Pam trained to be a nurse and received her cap. Pam was known as an adventurer. She and her sister Doreen motorbiked through France, and as a young woman Pam decided to leave England and came to the U.S. to work as a nanny. Eventually, Pam moved to San Francisco, and it was there that she met her future husband, Eugene. Before too long though the couple moved to New York City, Eugene’s roots, and settled in the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Pam became part of the banking industry, having received many certifications including the Advanced Study Program for the New York Chapter of the American Institute of Banking. Pam and Gene had the love of running in common and competed in over 40 marathons, including several Boston Marathons and NYC Marathons. After retiring, Pam followed her dream of acting and became a member of SAG (the Screen Actors Guild) and had bit parts in many shows, including Law & Order. Pam had roles in a number of films: Voice of the Voiceless, in which she appears frequently; Winning Seasons, a Russian film just “dancing and stuff”; Spider Man II; and, as a race walker in a film that took place in a Manhattan park. In April 2015, Pam and Gene moved to Richmond, Va., to be near family as their health declined. Eugene died on Sept. 21, 2016. Pam lived for another six years, suffering with diabetes and Parkinson’s Disease. We express our gratitude to James River Hospice for their loving care and concern. One of the most beautiful gifts in Pam’s life was her friend Carol Short from Manhattan, whom Pam met on her voyage from England and who remained a true friend until the day Pam died.
Love you Aunt Pam.
Happy memories of your visits to the UK and times spent with our Mum (Doreen) laughing loudly as you both reminisced about your adventures and escapades as children, whilst we sat listening intently. Those times will live on, as you and Mum are now reunited. RIP Pam, fly high!
Auntie Pam was the kindest, funniest and most adventurous aunt I could ever have had. Every visit she made to the UK was filled with happiness and laughter. I also have fond memories of visiting her and Uncle Gene in New York one snowy Christmas. Gone but forever in our hearts.
I remember you visiting the UK and staying with Doreen, your sister, my wife, Cathryn’s mother. I only met you briefly but your kindness and sense of adventure shone through. Cathryn always spoke so affectionately about you and, having met you, I understand fully what she meant. God bless you Pam.
Auntie Pam – what an amazing life of adventure and achievement. Moving all the way from Burnley to the US at such a young age to work as a nanny then having such a successful career at Wells Fargo. It was great to receive regular updates about the many exploits in the marathons and acting. All my memories are of fun and laughter, from a vague recollection of riding on the back of a scooter when I was young to a bit more recently visiting my family and being such a big hit with our kids.
My beautiful adventurous sister Pam. I remember your visits back home to Burnley as a child, our trips to Manchester with Mum. The holiday you organised when I was 11 years old to France, Italy and Switzerland on the moped, sleeping in the tiny tent for two weeks. My children were enthralled by the stories of your adventures that you told them and always looked forward to your visits. Love you and miss you. Sleep peacefully now.