Pamela Rappleyea Vredenburgh, of Chenango Forks, NY, passed away peacefully Monday, November 21, 2016 after a brief illness at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, and with family by her side.
Pam was born on February 17, 1958, in Norwich, NY, and spent most of her childhood there. She graduated from Norwich High School in 1975. Pam continued her studies at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, receiving a Bachelor of Science in 1979. She subsequently earned a Master of Social Work from Syracuse University. After graduation, she spent most of her career at what is now known as the Greater Binghamton Health Center, working to restore the mental health of the many children and adolescents whose lives she touched.
Pam had many passions in life, including travelling, caring for her pets, tailgating at Cornell events, spending time at the ocean shore, listening to all genres of music, playing the piano, and wine-tasting. Pam loved to cook, entertain, and attend Norwich events such as the Blues Fest and Colorscape. She truly lived every day to its fullest.
Most of all, Pam cared about her family. Although she was a full time social worker, she still managed to be a devoted wife, mother, sister, daughter, niece, and aunt. Pam gave all of herself to her family, especially her children, whom she guided with a loving hand to adulthood and what she deemed the ultimate success: attendance at Cornell. Pam’s joy in her family grew with the addition of her newest granddaughter, Molly, and she cherished the precious time they were able to share together.
When Pam wasn’t with her family, she enjoyed the company of her countless friends. Whether she was with her LSS girls on Cayuga Lake, reliving old memories with her forever friends from Norwich, or spending time with any of her other friends, too numerous to mention, Pam cherished each of these special relationships immensely. Selfless and caring, Pam inspired these qualities in everyone she met. She was an exceptional listener and was loved for her quick wit, outgoing personality, and intellectual brilliance. She was a wonderful, down-to-earth companion whose laugh was given freely and often.
Pam is survived by her husband of 31 years, Don, of Chenango Forks, NY. Also surviving is her mother, Nancy Rappleyea, of Albany, NY; her sons and their families, Jacob, Amanda, and Molly Vredenburgh, of Wynantskill, NY, and Dr. Zachary and Kara Vredenburgh, of Somerset, NJ, her step-children and their families Debra, Paul, Kelcie, and Lauren O’Neil, of Oneida, NY, and Dan, Katie Palm, Madison, and Olivia Vredenburgh, of Delhi, NY; her sister Stacy Rappleyea and her husband, Rob Towne, and their children, Sam and Sarah Towne; her sister Susan and her husband, Paul Powers, and their children, Katherine and Lucas Ashby, Mia Powers, and Matthew Powers, and their grandchildren Grace, Charles, and Benedict Ashby; her Aunt Dorothy and Uncle Frank Benenati; her mother-in-law, Grace Vredenburgh, brothers and sisters-in-law, Robert and Susan Vredenburgh, David Vredenburgh, and Betsy Kennedy, Douglas and Darlene Vredenburgh, Karen Vredenburgh, and Gloria Vredenburgh.
Pam is predeceased by her father, Clarence D. (“Rapp”) Rappleyea, and her father-in-law, Andrew Vredenburgh.
Friends are invited to call on Sunday, November 27, 2016, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Wilson Funeral Home, 68 South Broad St., Norwich, NY 13815. A private memorial service will follow. Burial will take place at the convenience of the family, and a celebration of life in memory of Pam will be held in the spring or summer of 2017.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Pam may be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (https://giving.mskcc.org/ways-give) or the Broome County Humane Society, 2 Jackson St., Binghamton, NY 13903.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Wilson Funeral Home. To leave the family a message of condolence, please visit the funeral home website at: www.wilsonfh.com.