Claudette "Pam" Dempster

Claudette "Pam" Dempster, age 60, of Traverse City, passed away on June 24, 2016. Pam was born on June 29, 1955 in the tiny Jamaican town of Warsop, Trelawny to Doris and Ervin. Together with her siblings, Vinette and Keith, she grew and thrived under the love and guidance of her grandparents, Laura, Ivan, and Viola. As a child, she played in the countryside, farmed, and attended school and church. She especially loved playing house, wearing her grandmother's shoes, spending summers with her parents, and hiding under the bed where she read without interruption. According to Pam, life back then was beautiful and the best time in her life. Except for the mornings when she had to fetch water from the spring. However, her mother and grandmothers taught her the importance of hard work and told her to be the best at whatever she chose to be. This lesson made her one of the most beloved and sought after housekeepers in Traverse City.
Before moving to Traverse City, Pam met and married Evans. They had four daughters, Sheree, Teresa, Georgia, and Kerr-Ann. Five grandchildren and one great-grandson later followed. Pam was a committed mother, dedicating every penny and spare hour to her daughters. She always picked up the phone, listened without judging, prayed, and pushed them to work hard and pursue their dreams. She was not just a mother, she was a friend. She was their champion. Upon moving to Traverse City, she adopted Kim Eckheart as a daughter and showered her with love. She taught Kim about the Lord and ensured she had the life skills to stand on her own.

Pam loved Traverse City, her Living Hope family, the Cherry Festival, and her small group fellowships. When not working, she enjoyed attending church, gardening, knitting blankets for her children, reading, and chatting on the phone. Her favorite book was the Bible, she called it her roadmap and studied it diligently. When asked how she would like to be remembered, Pam wrote: "Remember that I am a child of God, and my life was influenced by my relationship with Jesus Christ. I am gone to be with him."

Celebrate Pam's life and legacy on July 7, 2016 at 11 a.m. at The Living Hope Church, 3050 S. Airport Rd. W., Traverse City, MI. 49684. Visitation will be held one hour prior. Memorial contributions in Pam's name may be directed to The Traverse City Health Center.

Please share your thoughts and memories with Pam's family by way of her online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com

The family is being cared for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.