Pamela Rae Duthie

Pamela Rae Duthie, 63, of Mayville, ND, a faithful servant of God, entered her heavenly home on Monday, October 8, 2007. She had been a patient at MeritCare Hospital in Fargo. Pamela was born November 28, 1943 in Antioch, California to John Alexander and Elizabeth “Betty” Reese Duthie. Pamela spent her childhood years in Cheyenne, Wyoming where her great grandparents had settled after emigrating from England. As a child, she rode in The Cheyenne Frontier Days parade in a carriage with her great grandmother, grandmother, parents and sister as “The Four Generations of Wyoming.” Pamela graduated from Cheyenne East High School. She received a Bachelor’s degree in special education from Colorado State College in Greeley. She later obtained both a Masters degree and a PhD in biokinetics (physics and kinesiology) from The University of Oklahoma and Washington State University, respectively. Pamela loved teaching and some of her assignments included teaching special needs children. She also taught at The University of New York in Albany. Pamela gave many hours of volunteer work over her lifetime. She especially enjoyed using her knowledge to help those with physical infirmities to help improve the quality of their lives. After moving to Mayville, N.D., she found her special niche serving the community when and where needed. Pamela was raised in the First Presbyterian Church of Cheyenne, the church of her Scottish ancestry. Later in life she became active in the Episcopal Church and in Mayville, she regularly attended Mayville Lutheran. Pamela was a unique individual. She marched to her own drum. She enjoyed music, having played the clarinet and bassoon in school. Growing up she had a love of the outdoors which carried throughout her life. She enjoyed handwork, and spent many hours creating special gifts for her family and friends. She was always an avid reader and a seeker of knowledge. She loved people and truly cared about the welfare of all. Her family of pets, however, captured her heart and she never turned away a stray. Health issues plagued Pamela her whole life. Her doctors had been amazed that she had survived two types of cancer that should have been terminal. In the end, ovarian cancer returned and she lost her long fought battle. During the years in Mayville when her health was reasonably good, she devoted many hours to The Relay of Life and was a strong advocate for cancer victims and research. This past year, she conceived and helped execute a 2008 cancer survivor’s calendar, the proceeds to benefit cancer projects. Pamela is survived by her only sibling, Cheryl Duthie May and brother-in-law, Walter May, from Houston, Texas. She is also survived by three nieces: Tracy Hurd and husband Jim, Toni Houge, and Kelly Croucher and husband, Michael. Her great nieces and nephews include: Taylor and Sterling Hurd and Andrew, Connor and Collin Croucher. Other caring relatives: the Hardgrave family of Cheyenne, WY; the Tuffied family of Colorado Springs, CO; and the Browning family of Warrensburg, MO. MEMORIAL SERVICE: 2:00 PM Thursday, October 11, 2007 at Mayville Lutheran Church, Mayville, ND. VISITATION: one hour prior to the service at the church.