Pamela Lynn Sumner

PAMELA LYNN SUMNER, of Webster WI and Chicago IL.
(January 20, 1970 - May 9, 2023)

During a classic Chicago blizzard on January 20, 1970, Pamela Lynn was born at Bethany Brethren Hospital in Chicago, IL, to Margaret Grace (nee Deitche) and James Michael Sumner. Pamela was welcomed home by older brother, Steven James and older sister, Laura Jeanette. The family would be joined by Michael Matthew on Christmas day of 1973. Pam grew up in the Ashburn neighborhood, on the south-side of Chicago, and summers were spent in the north woods of Wisconsin visiting beloved grandparents, June and Pat McNeal. 

Pamela attended Ashburn Lutheran Elementary School from preschool through 8th grade, and Luther High School South. She graduated from William J. Bogan High School in 1988. In her early years Pam enjoyed playing softball and volleyball. She was a Girl Scout and took tap, 
ballet, and baton classes. Pam sang in the children's choir at Ashburn Lutheran Church, where she was Baptized and made her Confirmation. In 1984, her eighth-grade class took a trip to Washington DC, where they toured the nation's Capital, the Mall, the Washington Monument, 
the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and many other interesting places she found fascinating to visit. While in high school, Pam was in the French Club and served as club president during her Senior year. In the Summer of 1986, Pam traveled to France and spent time in Paris, 
Toulouse, and the Pyrenees Mountains with her host family. It was the trip of a lifetime!

 
After completing high school, Pam attended Richard J. Daley junior college in Chicago. Even as a student Pam worked steadily, beginning as a cashier for a neighborhood Walgreens. She would go on to be employed in the banking and customer service industries, holding positions 
as a Teller Supervisor for Republic Bank, an Operation's Support Supervisor for NuMark Credit Union, and a Retention Specialist for Comcast. She was awarded special recognition for Leadership, Service, and Social Responsibility. Pam enjoyed photography and excelled in 
taking beautiful landscape and architectural pictures. She had a great love of music, literature, and poetry, and was especially gifted as a creative writer. She expressed herself best in these endeavors. She loved her hometown, Chicago, the Chicago Bears and the Chicago Blackhawks. 

Pam was extremely active in fundraising for the American Cancer Society and was the captain of her Relay for Life team. She was honored with the Diamond Fund raising Level Award for several consecutive years and was recognized for many years for leading one of the top fundraising teams in Cook County. She organized Rockin' 4 a Cure, an annual benefit concert featuring local Chicago-area musicians to raise money for her cause. These events included raffles and door prizes, were well attended, and were a lot of fun for everyone. It enabled her to combine two of her main passions, philanthropic work and music. 

In January, of 2014, Pam would make a permanent move to northern Wisconsin, to assist in the care of her elderly grandfather. Pam treasured her family and friends and had a great love for all of them; they were her greatest joy. 

Despite her mounting struggle with health issues, Pam was suddenly, but quietly, quickly and painlessly, lifted by Our Lord's gentlest band of Angels, into Eternal Life on May 9th, 2023, in the close presence of dear family members. 

She is missed and loved forever by her parents, Marge Sumner (Mike Lowe) of Alsip IL, and Jim (Joyce) Sumner of Waddell AZ; siblings, Laura (Denis) Dhenin of Carlsbad NM; Michael (Tondi) Sumner of Minooka IL; and step-sister Reagyn Rudnicki of Evergreen Park IL; nieces and 
nephews: Danielle Sumner, Matthew Sumner, Colette Dhenin, Mason Dhenin, Alyssa Rose, Austin Rudnicki, Evie Ventura and Malina. Ventura; and her beloved feline companion, Bizzy Sumner. Many aunts, uncles, cousins and cherished friends, including Carol and Jim Barshack, join the circle of grieving loved ones. 

Pamela was proceeded in death, by her older brother, Stevie (1972); grandparents, June (nee Barsheack) and Fremont (Pat) McNeal, Eileen (nee Delaney) and Deuain (Ted) Sumner; and her 21-year-old cat Chuck. Cremation has taken place in-Webster WI., at the Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home.

Memorial Visitation and a Celebration of Pam's Life will be held Sunday, June 4, 2023, at the Kerry Funeral Home & Cremation Care Center, 7020 West 127th Street, Palos Heights, IL, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A Prayer Service will begin at 6:30 p.m., Rev. Richard Ramirez officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Pam's honor to the American Diabetes Association for diabetes research, the National Kidney Foundation, or Relay for Life/ American Cancer Society for cancer research.