Pamela was born in Oregon City on June 6, 1948, to Christine and Olen Irwin.

She grew up in Happy Valley, Ore., with her four siblings––Jerry, Larry, Monte and Debra. In 1966, she graduated from David Douglas High School in Portland, Ore.

Horses were Pamela's passion and she shared this love with her three daughters: Ty, Danielle and Jamie. One of her favorite memories was riding her Thoroughbred mare, Rachel, full speed through the fields of Happy Valley.

On Sept. 18, 1971, she married Glenn Peterson during an intimate ceremony in Portland, surrounded by family and their closest friends. After a few years, they chose to leave city life behind and moved to a cottage in the country to be caretakers of the land. When their first child arrived, everything changed. They purchased land of their own, 10 acres in the hills of Molalla, Ore., to build a home and a life together. That's where they raised their four children–– Ty, Danielle, Dean and Jamie––and it's the place that Pamela called home for 40 years.

Two of her longest held jobs included: John Hancock Insurance, where she worked for nearly 10 years (up until 1975) and the Molalla River School District, where she worked for about 20 years.

She lovingly gave of her time to lead a horse 4-H club, to host horse camps at her home, and to help her daughters and others prepare for horse competitions.

Her acute knowledge of superheroes would surprise you. She painstakingly created handmade costumes for her son, Dean. Perfectly detailed, right down to the real leather bullwhip for his Indiana Jones' costume and the precise angle of Batman's ears.
An avid reader and skilled writer, she often helped edit her children's school essays and always encouraged creative writing and storytelling.

Her purse was perpetually messy, and if you looked closely, you could see that her socks were often slightly mismatched, but she always had her priorities in order. Family always came first.

Pamela and Glenn created a home where all were welcome and shown love. It became a sanctuary and escape for many, new friends and old alike. The house was small, but they always made room. Holiday dinners were always open to her children's friends who were far away from their homes and families. Pam became a mom to many more than her four children. She was a source of wisdom and comfort. She laughed, cried and prayed with us all when we needed it the most.

Throughout her life, breast cancer would come and go, requiring countless surgeries and multiple rounds of chemo and radiation, eventually spreading to her bones and brain. She fought those battles while at the same time living life as though nothing were wrong.

She always said that grandchildren were the best medicine. Even in the last few days of her life, a visit from any one of her six grandchildren seemed to give her a boost of energy and a peaceful spirit.

She attended Prairie Bible Church in Molalla, where she forged lasting, faith-based relationships.

A day after receiving three consecutive radiation treatments for a growing brain tumor, she packed her bags for a long anticipated family road trip to Montana with all her children and grandchildren. Knowing in her heart that it could be the last vacation with her family, she used all her remaining strength to be present and enjoy that time
together.

Just two months after celebrating her 70th birthday, Pamela died at Hopewell House Hospice in Portland, surrounded by family.
Pamela is survived by her sister, Debra Maerz; her husband, Glenn Peterson; her children, Ty Sohlman, Danielle Anderson, Dean Peterson and Jamie Ofstad; and her grandchildren, Harper and John Sohlman, Oliver and Max Ofstad, Benjamin Anderson and Graham Peterson.

A memorial was held on Saturday, Aug. 19, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Silverton. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Oct. 13, in West Linn. Please email the family (RememberingPamelaOlene@gmail.com) for details and to RSVP.