Pamela Belsom Avery

Oct. 24, 1948 – May 10, 2017

Pamela Belsom Avery, age 68, ended life’s journey after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer on Wednesday, May 10, 2017, at home surrounded by her loving family.

Pam was born Oct. 24, 1948 in Salt Lake City to Leslie Belsom and Mary Kelley. She attended Bishop Glass Elementary School, Judge Memorial High School, St. Mary of the Wasatch and the University of Utah. Pam continued her education with distance courses from St. Joseph’s College and Notre Dame. In 2014, she fulfilled her lifelong dream and obtained a Master of Arts Degree in Pastoral Studies from the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago.

She married the love of her life and best friend, Donald Louis Avery, on Aug. 22, 1969, at St. Patrick Catholic Church.

Pam started her work career at Mountain Bell as a switchboard operator, then moved to building support services, and finally took a nontraditional job as a cable locator.

She took a 10-year sabbatical from work to raise her sons, Joshua and Timothy, who were the light of her life. She spent countless hours at the soccer field, basketball court and baseball field cheering them on.

Pam resumed her work career as a volunteer at Dilworth Elementary School and tutored children needing additional classroom attention. She also taught children’s Sunday school at St. Ambrose Catholic Church. She eventually became the church’s DRE and RCIA coordinator, positions she held until retirement in 2015.

During her career, she served on the Parish Council, was a Lector and Eucharistic Minister, was a board member for the Intermountain Catholic Newspaper and the Bishop’s Advisory Council, and was a certified Lay Ecclesial Minister. In 1995 she was the St. Ambrose Woman of the Year. Highlighting each year was her participation in the church’s annual children’s Christmas pageant, the Utah State Hospital’s Forgotten Patient Christmas gift drive, and the children’s summer Bible study at Camp Kostopulos.

Pam took pride in her beautiful home and yard, which have been a lifelong project for her and Don. She was admired for her good taste and style, which was reflected in her wardrobe, interior decorating, parties, and arts and crafts. Pam loved traveling and sightseeing, and recently vacationed with Don in Italy, Peru and China.

She is survived by her husband Donald; sons Joshua (Amy) and Timothy (Samantha); precious grandchildren Cameron, Olivia and Alyssa; sister Donna (Gary) Carson; nephew Christopher (Makiko) Benardis; and brother-in-law Kevin (Debra) Avery.

The Rite of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Ambrose Church on May 13. In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested in Pam’s behalf to St. Ambrose Catholic Church, 2314 Redondo Ave., Salt Lake City, UT 84108.