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Tributes
Pamela Gayle Harlan
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Feb.18, 1953 - Feb. 7, 2010
After spending an entertaining evening with her cherished grandchildren, Pamela Harlan, 56, unexpectedly quietly passed away in her sleep in her Whetstone foothills home Sunday morning.
An Arizona native, Pamela's family first came to the San Pedro Valley in the early 1900's and she spent most of her childhood in St David. After about a decade of further education, business and family obligations outside the area, she returned and became a trusted and beloved valley civic leader. She held many elected and appointed local and state offices with such organizations as the Business and Professional Women Association, Humane Society, Chamber of Commerce, Merchant's Association, Miss Benson Scholarship Pageant, Cochise County Tourism Council, as well as Governor's Committees and the like. Her vibrant zest for life, sincerity and giving nature combined with her style, enthusiasm, people skills and leadership talent inspired all to follow her lead.
While spearheading such events as Butterfield Stage Days, Benson's 4th of July Committee and Car Show, Freedom21 SEAZ and Kartchner Caverns/Cochise College Benson Campus fundraisers, she sought the betterment and well being of her community and country as well as the enrichment of all those around her. Many of the events and successes we celebrate today are a direct result of Pamela's foresight, abilities and dedication. These are only a few of the reasons she was recognized as Benson's Woman of the Year and nominated to Project Central's Leadership Council, among many other honors.
Pamela will be sorely missed and fondly recalled by many, but it will be the small kind things she did on a daily basis for which she will be remembered the most.
She is survived by her husband of 29 years, Dave Harlan; daughter Step-hanie J. Fletcher (Jereme) of Pomerene; grandchildren Paydon Harlan Fletcher and Brannon Harlan-Lane Fletcher; mother Janet G. Dworsky of Benson; siblings Ruth Ann Cruz (Hector) of Virginia and Jonathon F. McCommas (Diane) of Pomerene, along with a host of other family and friends.
A memorial in Pamela's honor will begin at 2 in the afternoon on Sunday, Feb. 28, at Lions park in Benson, Ariz. (contact (520) 586-2613/221-0866). Per family wishes in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the ALS Treatment Fund in memory of Pamela Harlan (Acct. # 0288023964 - National Bank of Arizona - 520-586-2228 - 625 W. 4th Street - Benson AZ 85602). Her ashes are to be scattered by her family and close friends.
After spending an entertaining evening with her cherished grandchildren, Pamela Harlan, 56, unexpectedly quietly passed away in her sleep in her Whetstone foothills home Sunday morning.
An Arizona native, Pamela's family first came to the San Pedro Valley in the early 1900's and she spent most of her childhood in St David. After about a decade of further education, business and family obligations outside the area, she returned and became a trusted and beloved valley civic leader. She held many elected and appointed local and state offices with such organizations as the Business and Professional Women Association, Humane Society, Chamber of Commerce, Merchant's Association, Miss Benson Scholarship Pageant, Cochise County Tourism Council, as well as Governor's Committees and the like. Her vibrant zest for life, sincerity and giving nature combined with her style, enthusiasm, people skills and leadership talent inspired all to follow her lead.
While spearheading such events as Butterfield Stage Days, Benson's 4th of July Committee and Car Show, Freedom21 SEAZ and Kartchner Caverns/Cochise College Benson Campus fundraisers, she sought the betterment and well being of her community and country as well as the enrichment of all those around her. Many of the events and successes we celebrate today are a direct result of Pamela's foresight, abilities and dedication. These are only a few of the reasons she was recognized as Benson's Woman of the Year and nominated to Project Central's Leadership Council, among many other honors.
Pamela will be sorely missed and fondly recalled by many, but it will be the small kind things she did on a daily basis for which she will be remembered the most.
She is survived by her husband of 29 years, Dave Harlan; daughter Step-hanie J. Fletcher (Jereme) of Pomerene; grandchildren Paydon Harlan Fletcher and Brannon Harlan-Lane Fletcher; mother Janet G. Dworsky of Benson; siblings Ruth Ann Cruz (Hector) of Virginia and Jonathon F. McCommas (Diane) of Pomerene, along with a host of other family and friends.
A memorial in Pamela's honor will begin at 2 in the afternoon on Sunday, Feb. 28, at Lions park in Benson, Ariz. (contact (520) 586-2613/221-0866). Per family wishes in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the ALS Treatment Fund in memory of Pamela Harlan (Acct. # 0288023964 - National Bank of Arizona - 520-586-2228 - 625 W. 4th Street - Benson AZ 85602). Her ashes are to be scattered by her family and close friends.
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| Ruby Evelyn Sherman |
Reader Tributes
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of bensonnews-sun.com.
Maggie Polen Bryce wrote on Feb 27, 2010 11:14 AM:
" I'm sorry I can't be there for Pamela's memorial. I am in Prescott looking after my Mom who at 94 years old took a fall and is recovering from some fractures. Pamela and I were in many events together back "in the good old days", modeling for Margie Adams at Kiva Gifts, working on Butterfield Days and 4th of July. I can still hear her calling me "Maggers." She was a very loving and outgoing spirit and will be missed. Look out heaven, here she comes! She'll be organizing things there and making it better and better.
Blessings to Dave, Stephanie and the family.
Maggie Polen Bryce "
Blessings to Dave, Stephanie and the family.
Maggie Polen Bryce "
Karen Johnson wrote on Feb 17, 2010 11:55 AM: