The six lines in the death notice for Pamela Crowell in the Nevada Appeal on Wednesday could in no way capture the essence of the charm, accomplishments and vitality of my dear friend who left this Earth at her home on Monday.
It was with shock and great sadness that I received a call that afternoon from her brother, Timothy Bissell, telling me of his sister's passing. Pam and I had been friends for more years than I can count.
The cause of death, at 66, of the 54-year resident will not be determined for about two weeks, he said. But Bissell told me that early last week she notified him that she had suffered a seizure followed by a fall that resulted in a great deal of pain. Bissell insisted that she make an appointment with a doctor. She made the appointment for last Friday but later canceled it.
Three days later she was found dead in her home.
No services are planned, as were Pam's wishes. She will be cremated.
Pam was a passionate environmentalist and lover of all creatures big and small. She delighted in feeding carrots and apples to the deer that would come on her deck, describing to me their behavior and appearance.
She was a tireless member of the Democratic Party, working in the Carson City office of U.S. Sen. Howard Cannon, D-Nev., serving as chairwoman of the Carson City Democratic Central Committee and being extremely active in the Carson City Democratic Women's Club. Her organizational skills and energy were legendary in performing the tasks associated with Democratic events and fundraisers.
Her selection by then-Secretary of State Dean Heller, a Republican, as deputy in charge of elections was greeted with vociferous negativity by members of the GOP. But, with her tremendous degree of perfectionism and professionalism, she served Heller well.
Years earlier, Pam worked for the Nevada State Museum as registrar of acquisitions, a role that was a perfect fit for someone with her keen knowledge of and interest in the arts.
No challenge was too daunting for Pam. With no training or experience in journalism, she agreed to write an entertainment column for the Appeal. She reveled in the opportunity to interview headliners at the Stateline casino-hotels and did an admirable job of writing about them.
Pam was the most generous and caring person I have ever known. I recall the time I called her at 2 a.m. on a Saturday morning after the Reno Veteran's Administration Hospital notified me that my longtime companion had died. She arrived at my house in less than five minutes, barefoot because she hadn't taken time to put on her shoes. There are too many instances to recount about her efforts on behalf of those in need, but it goes without saying that she was as beautiful inside as out.
In many ways Pam was a very private person. And in death she did it her way.
Farewell mi gran amiga. You are already missed.
• Sue Morrow of Carson City is a longtime journalist and a member of the Nevada Newspaper Hall of Fame.
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