Pamela (Kay) Katherine Richner

A Daughter cries out to her mother asking her where she is going in such haste.  The mother yells back as she pounds a sign into the ground “GONE FISHING BE BACK WHEN EVER I FEEL LIKE IT Gotta catch them all!” That was Pamela Kay (Katherine) Richner. Wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend died on May 13, 2017 peacefully.

Pamela was born to Virgil and Mary L. Lane, wonderful parents, in Peoria Illinois at the late hour of 11:30 pm on the 5th day of July, 1947. In her early years, Pamela, a homemaker, raised three active children.  Pamela was also great at keeping a humble home that was not fancy, but much loved. She taught her children that it does not have to be designer, or from the most expensive store to be beautiful… Thus even the ugliest rock is beautiful.

In the 1970-80’s Pamela went on to be a daycare provider in her home. After a long week of babysitting she would wait in anticipation for Friday to come so that she could help pack up the family car with camping supplies and gather her three children for a weekend of campfires, s'mores, and fishing. There was nothing more comforting then hearing her hustling around the camp site, the crackle of the morning fire and smells of her delicious breakfast cooking and the aromas tickling our noses to get up and get going so we could be out on the lake to fish.

In the 1980-90’s Pamela worked various jobs including one that she found most rewarding at the DSHS office in Tacoma, WA where she could help protect children and the elderly. This seemed to give her good memories as she would talk about it so often.

In the late 90’s, due to health issues, her lifestyle took a slower turn. She used the years to heal and learn new hobbies such as ceramics.  In 2014 after moving around she came to live with her daughter Theresa.   For her last three years Pamela found that she had new way of life. Pamela had new things to enjoy such as cuddling down into a new night gown, trips to the stores shopping for incredible tasty foods, and sitting for hours talking about the old days with a great cup of coffee smothered in powdered creamer. Pamela loved going out to Chinese restaurants; she even learned to like eating her veggies and that included Brussels sprouts.

Pamela knew her darn ole lungs were just tired and her body was worn out, and even though she had made incredible changes in her life, her time was limited with us on Earth. She made the best out of every day, even if it was just getting out of bed to get her coffee, chatter to the animals for a while and go back to bed for a late morning nap.

Pamela passed away with the love of her family nearby and the very attentive team at St. Clare’s Hospital in Lakewood, WA. She is now watching over her remaining loved ones as she sits having coffee with her mother, father, siblings, nieces and nephews. She is survived by her sister Roz Norman and her family, her brother David Lane and his family, twin daughters Taletha A. Coombes, and Theresa M. Carr, her Son Billy L. Richner Jr. 14 grandchildren and 7 great- grandchildren.

A special note from Theresa: As I left the hospital or rehab center every night I would always kiss my mother on her forehead and say “Now you listen … No parties and no putting out the disco ball to get everyone worked up… others need to sleep.” Mom would reply “Ok promise” then we would teehee’s and loves would be exchanged with I love you more.  So, MOM- no parties and no putting out the disco ball until I get there you hear! I love you more and already miss you more than I did yesterday. Theresa

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